On Friday 28 July, the European Commission announced the launch of a new European pillar for classifying skills, competences, qualifications and occupations (ESCO) as a means of facilitating communication between potential employers and employees.
ESCO is translated into 26 languages: the 24 official languages of the Union, in addition to Norwegian and Icelandic. In a press release, the Commission explains that the objective of this platform is to counterbalance existing imbalances in the European labour market and enhance professional and geographical mobility. ESCO is one of the main points included in the New Skills Agenda for Europe (see EUROPE 11570).
In more specific terms, the platform’s mission focuses on three major areas: helping jobseekers find a job that corresponds most appropriately to their skills through the introduction of a joint digital tool for employers and employees; improving exchanges between the employment sector and training and education sectors so that the latter can adapt itself more appropriately to employment market demands and; guaranteeing a better interconnection between the European levels of employment markets. On this final point, the Commission explains that it would like ESCO to become the main classification instrument in the context of EURES information exchanges, the European mobility and employment portal.
The platform so far covers 2,942 professions and 13,485 skills and competences. The tool is expected to further develop and cover new qualifications. The platform is managed by the European Commission in collaboration with the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP).
The Commission will present the platform and its practical applications in more detail during a conference on 9 and 10 October next.
Vocational skills remain a priority lever for the Commission. It recently presented a mechanism for helping migrants’ integration into the labour market (see EUROPE 11812). (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)