Project No.: PROF-EIM-P-001
On 3 April 2025, the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Lithuania signed a project implementation agreement with the Central Project Management Agency (CPMA) for the implementation of the project “MASTER STEPS: Development and Piloting of a Workplace-Based Mastery Qualifications Model” (hereinafter – the Project).
The Project is financed by the Swiss Confederation and the State Budget of the Republic of Lithuania under the 2022–2029 Swiss–Lithuanian Cooperation Programme.
Project Objective
To pilot, improve and create the conditions for implementing a workplace-based mastery qualifications model, enabling the recognition of competencies/qualifications acquired through work experience and ensuring their alignment with the Lithuanian Qualifications Framework as part of lifelong learning.
Project Partners
- Lithuanian Engineering and Technology Industry Association (LINPRA)
- INFOBALT Association
- Lithuanian Construction Association
- Cluster of Manufacturing Innovators (coordinated by UAB Pažangios inovacijos)
Main Problem Addressed by the Project
In Lithuania, the lifelong learning participation rate among people aged 25–64 lags behind the EU average. In 2022, it stood at 8.5%, compared to the EU average of 10.8%. The National Progress Plan sets the goal that by 2030, 15% of young adults (aged 25–34) and 8% of older adults (aged 55–74) should participate in learning activities.
Although there are positive trends, Lithuania still lacks a coherent lifelong learning system. The existing qualifications system focuses on formal qualifications awarded by educational institutions and does not include mastery-level competences and advanced skills acquired in the workplace. There is no legal or administrative mechanism for recognising these competencies, and the structure of professional standards does not provide opportunities to formalise career progression and skill development achieved on the job.
International best practice shows that a solution lies in sectoral qualifications subsystems managed by employer organisations and integrated into national qualifications systems. Lithuanian employers also support the creation of such a system, as formally acquired qualifications often do not reflect the real, experience-based competencies developed in the workplace.
Another challenge is the low level of employer engagement in employee training. In Lithuania, only 61.6% of companies provide training, compared to the EU average of 70.5%; in Latvia, the figure reaches 99.9%. Small enterprises, in particular, rarely invest in employee competence development.
Target Groups
- Ministry of the Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Lithuania
- Employer associations representing selected economic sectors
- Employers
- Company employees
Project Activities
- Development of a Workplace-Based Mastery Qualifications Pool, covering the target mastery qualifications to be piloted during the Project.
- Implementation of analytical activities to prepare for the piloting and expansion of the mastery qualifications model.
- Preparation of 16 Mastery Qualification descriptions (Mastery Qualifications Pool).
- Updating of 3 methodological documents for describing Mastery Qualifications.
- Evaluation of 80 individuals during the pilot stage of the mastery qualifications assessment and recognition process.
- Development of 12 bridging (upskilling) programmes and related informational-methodological materials.
- Creation of an interactive portal for mastery qualifications assessment and recognition.
- Updating of the Mastery Qualifications Assessment Procedures Manual.
- Preparation of analytical documentation for applying the mastery qualifications model.
- Development of recommendations for the formal adoption of the mastery qualifications assessment and recognition model in Lithuania.
- Preparation of 3 additions to sectoral occupational standards and submission to the Sectoral Professional Committees.
- Implementation of project communication activities, including events to present and discuss project results as well as a public awareness campaign on the pilot model.
Project Results:
- The Project will create and pilot a system for recognising workplace-based mastery qualifications, enabling the acknowledgment of competencies and advanced skills acquired through work experience.
- Analytical studies will be carried out to support the piloting and future expansion of the qualifications model. 16 mastery qualification descriptions will be developed, and 3 methodological documents updated. Bridging programmes and methodological materials will be prepared, and 80 individuals will be assessed for the recognition of their mastery competencies. An interactive platform for qualification assessment and recognition will be developed, the procedures manual updated, and documentation prepared for applying the model.
- These measures will support the integration of workplace-based mastery qualifications into the Lithuanian qualifications system, strengthen the recognition of experiential learning, and promote a culture of lifelong learning
