Author Information
Niina Kovalainen, Laurea University of Applied Sciences, FinlandAnne-Mari Raivio, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Finland
Abstract
This article examines micro-credentials as a structural and pedagogical interface between higher education and working life. Situated within a Finnish university of applied sciences (UAS) collaboration project, the study explores how profession-specific employability skills and communicative competences can be recognized, validated and developed via micro-credentials. While intercultural communication competence has traditionally focused on cultural awareness and interaction across contextual differences, contemporary professional environments increasingly require transnational communicative competence: the ability to operate fluidly across linguistic, cultural, institutional and digital boundaries. Drawing on an ongoing UAS cooperation project, this paper presents preliminary findings indicating that cross-sector collaboration is not merely beneficial but essential for designing meaningful micro-credentials that serve as agile, future-oriented modes of skill recognition. Early results from this case study suggest that co-creation with working life partners strengthens relevance, authenticity and transferability of learning outcomes. The analysis integrates principles of transnational communication and andragogy, emphasizing adult learners’ experience, self-direction and work-related relevance. From this perspective, micro-credentials are conceptualized not only as modular certifications, but as co-constructed learning processes embedded in professional practice. Recognition and validation of prior and emerging competences, together with up-to-date profession-bound skills, are shown to support not only higher education pathways but also labour market integration and broader societal participation. The paper argues that micro-credentials developed collaboratively with employers and diverse stakeholder groups—including migrants and peer communities—can function as mechanisms of inclusion, competence transparency and ultimately, transnational communicative agency in contemporary Europe.
Paper Information
Conference: ECAH2026Stream: Humanities - Teaching and Learning
Published: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
This paper is part of the ECAH2026 Conference Proceedings (View)
Full Paper
View / Download the full paper in a new tab/window
To cite this article:
Kovalainen N., & Raivio A. (2026) Micro-credentials at the Higher Education – Work Interface: From Intercultural Communication to Transnational Communicative Competence ISSN: 2188-1111 – The European Conference on Arts & Humanities 2026: Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 247-259) https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2188-1111.2026.20
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2188-1111.2026.20
Comments
Powered by WP LinkPress