This report “A Certification Framework for Software Professionals” is a deliverable related to Work Package 3 of the ESSA project. The certification framework is based on the ESSA educational profiles and presents different implementation approaches.
This report is a part of strategic objective 4 “Validate learning processes” of the ESSA Software Skills Strategy. The objective of this document is to design a certification framework considering microcredentials and using European standards like the e-CF, EQF, and ECTS. By discussing implementation aspects and the maintenance of the framework, the objective is also to make it appealing to and easy for all kinds of organisations offering education, training, or certifications to uptake the framework and issue digital badges/certifications based on it.
This document reflects the process of developing the certification framework including aspects that are important for its implementation. The first step in this process was to establish the starting points including the standards and ESSA educational profiles. The next step was to determine with the partnership, in an iterative process, the structure of the certification scheme. This structure was implemented by inserting all the programme and unit learning outcomes defined in the educational profiles.
The draft certification framework was discussed and fine-tuned. Then, an example of one complete role was developed. After this process, a mapping with professional certifications was made and finetuned by partners. The last step was to discuss the implementation aspects which was again done by developing a draft by the WPL that was reviewed and fine-tuned by partners.
Resource available: A Certification Framework for Software Professionals