In english

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

The aim of the project is to increase and develop the expertise and capabilities of university staff in continuous learning and micro credentials, which are a new phenomenon in the field of education, as well as to increase knowledge in order to establish them as part of higher education activities.

CURRENT EVENTS

26.5.2026 | The YJOP project’s data collection phase report has been published. The report Continuous Learning in Universities and Micro-Credentials – Current State Analysis and Development Needs is now available. It compiles the results of the data collection phase conducted within the YJOP project in autumn 2025 and spring 2026, targeting university staff. The report includes data from the Universities of Lapland, Oulu, Turku, Vaasa, Åbo Akademi, Eastern Finland, and Tampere.
Download the report in the section below.

27.4.2026 | 14.00-15.30 What are the Micro-credentials? University perspectives on micro-credentials. The project’s first webinar. You can download the webinar presentations at the bottom of the page.

1 / 2026 Project meeting and CE4ALL project's presentation
The project participants held a working meeting on the theme of working life cooperation. They familiarized themselves with the CE4ALL project, in which working life cooperation has been the starting point for the development of small skill sets.

YJOP report - Continuous

learning in universities and

micro-credentials

26.5.2026 | The report on the data collection phase of the YJOP project has been published. Continuous learning in universities and micro-credentials – Current state analysis and development needs report compiles the results of the data collection phase conducted within the YJOP project in autumn 2025 and spring 2026, targeting university staff. The report includes data from the Universities of Lapland, Oulu, Turku, Vaasa, Åbo Akademi, Eastern Finland, and Tampere.

The report examines the current state of continuous learning in universities and how micro-credentials are currently reflected in university activities and educational offerings. It also highlights customer- and working life-oriented continuous learning practices in universities. In addition, the report presents development recommendations based on the collected data for advancing continuous learning and implementing micro-credentials, including through inter-university collaboration.

Report available in Finnish.

Download the report here. (Opens in a new window)

Webinars

22.9.2026 klo 14.00-15.30 | YJOP Webinar 2: How Are Micro Credentials Created?

Welcome to the YJOP project webinar on 22 September 2026 at 14:00–15:30, where we will explore the design and implementation of micro credentials that respond to the competence needs of working life. In the webinar, you will hear examples and experiences from completed micro credentials and get a preview of an online course being developed for university staff within the project.
The webinar offers timely perspectives and practical ideas for anyone interested in developing continuous learning and work‑life‑relevant education.
Register here: Registration for the webinar is open until 21 September 2026.
The webinar will be held in Finnish. It will not be recorded.

Programme:
14.00 Tervetuloa webinaariin! Laura Al-Azzawi, Itä-Suomen yliopisto
14.10 Verkkokurssi yliopiston henkilöstölle - Lähtökohtana työelämän osaamistarpeet, Mari Vuolle ja Jaana Roschier, Tampereen yliopisto
14.30 Case: Kestävän kiertotalouden perusteet, Juha Kinnunen, Itä-Suomen yliopisto
14.45 Case: Lyhytterapeuttista osaamista sosiaali- ja terveysalan ammattilaisille, Satu Soila, Oulun yliopisto
15.00 Kommenttipuheenvuoro, Mari Viirelä, Oulun Kauppakamari
15.10 Kommenttipuheenvuoro, Päivi Hökkä, Tampereen yliopisto
15.20 Tilaisuuden päätös, Heli Kaarniemi, Itä-Suomen yliopisto
15.30 Tilaisuus päättyy

Welcome to the YJOP project webinar!

WORK PACKAGES

WORK PACKAGE 1.

Work package 1 focuses on ensuring that cooperation within the project runs as smoothly as possible and is close and effective with both the universities participating in the project and other stakeholders and actors. In addition, Work Package 1 ensures that the project progresses according to schedule and that its activities meet the set objectives.

WORK PACKAGE 2.

Work package 2 examines nationally customer- and working life-oriented operating models in continuous learning. The work package focuses on small competence areas and creates a shared vision of them. The work package includes measures such as mapping the current situation, increasing customer understanding, international benchmarking, and working life cooperation.

WORK PACKAGE 3.

The work package examines customer-oriented operating models in continuous learning and micro credentials. Work package creates a common understanding of what micro credentials are and how they are produced, offered, and implemented in a customer-oriented manner. The work package is coordinated by the University of Tampere.

WORK PACKAGE 4.

The cooperation model for planning educational offerings seeks ways to reduce overlap in the provision of micro credentials. The work package will plan an operating model that supports the coordination of micro credential offerings and develop structures that facilitate cooperation. The aim is that micro credentials offered by the universities would form a complementary, appropriate, and customer-oriented whole.

WORK PACKAGE 5.

The communications work package ensures that the project's results and outputs are widely used in universities, and that university-level continuous learning and micro credentials become more widely known among potential customers in working life, i.e., learners.