Rethinking Learning for a Mobile, Skills-Driven Future

Exploring lifelong learning, microlearning, and the evolution of skills recognition at OEB25

Education no longer follows a straight line. The pace of technological change, shifting job markets, and new expectations for flexibility are reshaping how we learn, work, and grow. Lifelong learning is no longer an aspiration; it is a necessity. And as mobility and micro-credentials redefine the value of education, institutions and employers alike are reimagining how learning can remain both relevant and human in a rapidly changing world.

This December at the OEB Global Conference 2025, several sessions will focus on key themes of lifelong learning, mobility, microlearning, and skills recognition, bringing together experts who are challenging traditional models and designing new pathways between education and employment. Across three key sessions, they will explore how flexible learning, digital credentials, and learner-centred design can build more connected, inclusive, and resilient systems of education.

The Flexible Learning Journey: Why Experience Begins Before Learning Starts

Learning Café | Friday, 5 December, 12:15 PM
Speakers: Margaret Korosec and Matt Cornock, University of Leeds

Before students even step into a virtual classroom, their learning experience has already begun. From the first website visit to course completion, every interaction shapes motivation and success.

In this interactive Learning Café, Margaret Korosec and Matt Cornock invite participants to map out the end-to-end learner journey and identify the hidden barriers institutions often overlook. Drawing on real case studies from the University of Leeds, the discussion explores how data, design, and empathy can align to create seamless, flexible learning experiences.

The session argues that designing for the full learner journey is no longer a service enhancement; it is a strategic imperative. Institutions that consider every stage, from discovery to completion, will be better equipped to attract and retain diverse learners while delivering meaningful impact.

Connecting People, Skills and Work: Can Digital Badges Drive Positive Systemic Change?

Panel Discussion | Thursday, 4 December, 12:15 PM
Speakers: Rebecca Garrod Waters, Ufi VocTech Trust; Yakob James Yohanis, Belfast City Council; Rolf Reinhardt, International Council on Badges and Credentials; Deb Millar, Hull College; Anthony Painter, Ufi VocTech Trust

Micro-credentials and digital badges are transforming how we define, measure, and communicate skills. But can they reshape entire systems of learning and employment?

This panel brings together innovators working at the intersection of policy, practice, and technology. Together, they explore how digital badges connect learners to opportunities while addressing the challenges of recognition, quality, and trust. From employer engagement to cross-sector collaboration, the speakers will share how these tools can help build more inclusive and responsive learning ecosystems.

Participants will leave with insights into how recognition of non-traditional learning and new credentialing models can make skills visible and valued across industries, communities, and borders.

Micro-Credentials in Action: Skills, Jobs and the Future of Learning

Presentation Panel | Friday, 5 December, 12:00 PM
Speakers: Gavin Clinch, Atlantic Technological University (ATU); Kelvin Bentley, University of Texas System; Nadia Starr, SAQA; Kristen Franklin, Digital Promise

Micro-credentials are no longer pilots or experiments; they are becoming integral to how education and employment connect. This global panel brings together leaders from Ireland, the United States, and South Africa to showcase how institutions are embedding micro-credentials into sustainable frameworks that support workforce mobility and equity.

The discussion will explore governance models, employer partnerships, and the evolving role of national and international standards. From universities designing stackable learning pathways to employers adopting verified digital credentials, these initiatives highlight how micro-credentials are strengthening global workforce resilience and expanding opportunities for learners everywhere.

A New Era of Learning Mobility

Together, these sessions capture the transformation taking place across education systems worldwide. They show how learning is shifting from a one-time event to a continuous process – one that adapts to each learner’s goals, circumstances, and career transitions.

Mobility is the new foundation of this transformation. Learners move between roles, industries, and countries; their skills must move with them. Digital credentials and microlearning provide the tools to make that mobility visible and transferable. Yet technology alone cannot guarantee impact. True progress depends on collaboration across sectors, transparent recognition frameworks, and a shared commitment to putting learners at the centre.

At OEB25, experts will demonstrate that the future of lifelong learning is not just about what we learn, but how learning connects to real lives, work, and aspirations. Micro-credentials, when combined with thoughtful policy and inclusive design, offer a powerful way to build that bridge.

Join the Conversation

The shift toward lifelong learning and mobility is already reshaping education systems across the globe. OEB25 offers a unique opportunity to hear from the people leading this change – those redefining how learning experiences are designed, recognised, and valued.

Whether you are an educator, policymaker, or industry professional, these sessions will provide inspiration and practical insights for building systems that are flexible, equitable, and ready for the future.

Join us in Berlin from 3–5 December 2025 to take part in these and other sessions exploring the frontiers of learning innovation. Discover the full programme and register today.

Written for OEB 2025.