Study on obstacles to recognition of skills and qualifications

Facilitating the recognition and transferability of skills and qualifications between economic sectors, types and levels of education and training, education and employment, and geographic areas, has a fundamental role to play in easing skills shortages and mismatches. Although the recognition of skills and qualifications remains the responsibility of European Union (EU) member states, the EU has sought to facilitate recognition over the years through a range of tools including legal measures and frameworks. To ensure that the right approaches are adopted to improve and expedite the...  [+] Show more

Facilitating the recognition and transferability of skills and qualifications between economic sectors, types and levels of education and training, education and employment, and geographic areas, has a fundamental role to play in easing skills shortages and mismatches. Although the recognition of skills and qualifications remains the responsibility of European Union (EU) member states, the EU has sought to facilitate recognition over the years through a range of tools including legal measures and frameworks. To ensure that the right approaches are adopted to improve and expedite the recognition of skills and qualifications, both at EU and member state level, it is essential to have a clear and updated picture of the key barriers to recognition, the effectiveness of the different tools which are currently available and the potential solutions to obstacles, from the perspective of all relevant stakeholders.

This study has reviewed a wide range of evidence from across the EU in order to clarify the practical obstacles to the recognition of skills and qualifications and their underlying causes, and explore existing and potential solutions at both EU and national level to ensure a fair, efficient and effective recognition of skills and qualifications.

Edited excerpts from publication.