Development of Micro-credentials ecosystem at the University of Maribor

Traditional occupation-based education is increasingly complemented by lifelong learning, with competencies taking precedence over specific job roles. Micro-credentials are emerging as a flexible response to these evolving demands. This paper presents the University of Maribor's approach, including the guidelines for the development of micro-credentials. A key focus is the integration of competency frameworks and classifications, enabling structured lifelong learning pathways. Additionally, we introduce the Curriculum Management System (CMS), an AI-supported platform designed to facilitate the mapping of learning outcomes to multiple competency frameworks and classifications, ensuring transparency, quality assurance, and cross-border recognition. The system aims to bridge the gap between higher education offerings and labour market needs, fostering a more agile and competency-driven education ecosystem.