A Talent Shortage study conducted in 2026 by an international staffing solutions and recruitment services company ManpowerGroup indicates that today employers are looking for more than just specific professional knowledge. More and more attention is being paid to the so-called “soft” skills (also known as transferable skills) – the ability to collaborate, solve problems, adapt to changes, think critically, plan and effectively manage your time, but you cannot learn these competencies from theory alone – they require practice. Then the question arises: where can you acquire it if you are still a student and have no work experience?
In response to this challenge, in 2023 Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) established the Skills Academy. It currently offers the MRU students 12 free small-scale practical training courses in Lithuanian and English – the so-called micro-credentials. Upon successful completion of the training and assessment, students receive one study credit, confirmed by a digital certificate.
The training topics are focused on competencies that are highly valued in today's labor market. Students can choose from trainings such as "Personal Effectiveness & Time Management", "Critical Thinking", "Leadership", "Self-Awareness and Personal Image", etc.
One of the most popular trainings organized by the Skills Academy is “Personal Effectiveness & Time Management”. Due to the great interest in this training program, students sometimes have to wait for the start of the next training group, as the number of participants is limited. This training structure was chosen not by chance – intensive work in small groups of up to 15 students allows to develop new skills and forms practical habits more effectively.
Student Julija shares her impressions of the “Personal Effectiveness and Time Management” training program, and recommends choosing this training for every student, regardless of their level of study:
“I am very glad that I chose this training. During the training, I acquired practical skills that I started applying immediately – the task prioritization methodology and the “time block” planning system proved to be especially useful. Before the training, I had a hard time coping with exam deadlines. After the training, I realized that the problem was not a lack of time, but a lack of planning skills. During the training, complex concepts were presented clearly and inclusively. I especially appreciate the fact that the course was focused not on abstract theories, but on real student situations – exam sessions, group project management, work and study coordination.”
The MRU Career Center has organized more than ten micro-credential trainings, in which over 100 students participated. Participants who successfully completed the course added one micro-credential (1 ECTS) and a digital certificate to their “wallet” of digital badges.
“Such trainings provide the opportunity for students not only to acquire new competencies, but also to strengthen their competitiveness in the labor market. The University seeks to meet the needs of both students and employers – to create conditions not only to deepen knowledge of the study program, but also to develop general competencies that help to easily integrate into the labor market and adapt to constant changes,” noted Olga Meščeriakova, Head of the MRU Career Center.
You can find more information about the Skills Academy and training topics here.