The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) has published a new report Digital tools for the portability of learning outcomes , based on the findings of a ReferNet survey.
The publication highlights that EU citizens still face challenges in accessing further education or changing careers because their skills and qualifications are not always fully understood or trusted. This limits both lifelong learning opportunities and labour mobility. Qualifications databases and registers, as well as digital credentials, are becoming important tools for improving the transparency and portability of learning outcomes.
The publication draws on selected evidence from 27 countries, covering a total of 28 systems. It examines digital tools that provide information on learning programmes, qualifications and accreditation, as well as tools for issuing, storing, sharing and verifying digital credentials.
The findings show that all 28 systems analysed recognise the value of digital tools in promoting the portability of learning outcomes, although levels of attention and progress vary considerably. At present, greater emphasis is placed on tools that provide information on qualifications, learning programmes and accreditation than on digital credentials.
Tools for issuing and storing digital credentials are more developed than those for sharing and verifying them. Most countries report only partial implementation of digital credentials, and no fully developed infrastructure covers all types of learning. In addition, awareness of EU tools and infrastructures related to digital credentials, such as Europass and the EU Digital Identity Wallet, is high across countries.
The publication also notes that countries are moving from static qualifications registers towards more user-oriented services that link information on qualifications and learning opportunities with labour market data, such as job vacancies and skills anticipation . However, the large number of information tools may lead to fragmented information, while the development of digital credentials continues to face challenges related to interoperability between systems, governance and the use of information on learning outcomes.
Cedefop emphasises that a user-oriented digital ecosystem requires the coordinated development of all its components – from providing information on programmes and qualifications to issuing, storing, sharing and verifying digital credentials. It also recommends continued investment in linking qualifications, learning opportunities and labour market data, monitoring the use of these tools, and strengthening cooperation at EU level.
More information is available in the Cedefop publication.
Photo source: Pexels (www.pexels.com)