The policy study and the set of recommendations aim to strengthen Europe’s vocational education and training (VET) systems and provide guidance for addressing the challenges arising from the shortage of green skills.
The final policy outputs of the Erasmus+ Net0Manager project have been released: the Policy Study, the Policy Brief, and the Focus Group Synthesis Report. The policy work package was led by the Hétfa Research Institute, with the documents developed in cooperation with partners from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Turkey, Switzerland, and Lithuania. The results were presented at the project’s closing conference in Brussels, which also served as an opportunity to reflect on nearly two years of collaborative work.
The research was based on desk analysis, surveys, and extensive stakeholder consultations. The Policy Study highlights that although some Member States are already experimenting with sustainability-related micro-credentials, most countries still lack a unified recognition framework, adequate institutional support, and sufficient teaching capacity to deliver modular, practice-oriented training at scale. This fragmentation slows progress and creates obstacles for learners, employers, and training providers alike.
Building on these findings, the Policy Brief outlines clear directions for action. It recommends establishing a European-wide recognition framework to ensure the credibility and transferability of micro-credentials. It also stresses that curricula should be co-designed with employers, ensuring direct alignment with labour market needs—such as ESG reporting or carbon footprint analysis. Furthermore, the document underlines the importance of strengthening educator capacity and digital infrastructure, so that VET institutions are equipped to deliver modern, flexible training programmes.
The conclusion is clear: Europe will only achieve its climate goals if it fundamentally renews the systems through which sustainability skills are developed, recognised, and applied. Micro-credentials can serve as a bridge between policy ambitions and real labour market needs—but only if they are systematically embedded into qualification frameworks, supported by appropriate investment, and widely embraced by employers.
The full Policy Study, Policy Brief, and Focus Group Synthesis Report are available for download here.