New forms of skills assessment and validation – impact on PES services and counselling - Thematic paper

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Kyle

European Network of Public Employment Services thematic paper examines how emerging approaches to skills assessment and validation affect Public Employment Services (PES) services and counselling. It focuses on new forms of skills assessment, skills recognition and validation, and skills-based training including micro-credentials. The document highlights that many PES across Europe already run established assessment activities, such as online and on-site tests, self-assessment, and counsellor-supported services. It also identifies ongoing improvements needed, particularly for digital skills assessment, skills-based profiling, broader assessment of both job-related and soft skills, and multi-level models integrating online self-assessment and counsellor support.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages24

Reading Time1 h 0 min

AccessFree to download

Executive summary

Background and rationale

Skills assessment, validation/recognition and micro-credentials in PES – current practices

Skills assessment

Skills recognition and validation

Micro-credentials

New developments in skills assessment, validation/recognition and micro-credentials

Challenges of skills assessment and validation/recognition in PES

Coordination of skills assessment and recognition

Accessibility of skills assessment

Challenges related to skills recognition procedures

Recommendations

References

European Network of Public Employment Services New forms of skills assessment and validation – impact on PES services and counselling Thematic paper EUROPEAN COMMISSION Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Directorate E — Labour Mobility and International Affairs Unit E.1 — Labour Mobility, Public Employment Services, ELA Contact: Hilde Olsen E-mail: EMPL-PES-SECRETARIAT@ec.europa.eu European Commission B-1049 Brussels New forms of skills assessment and validation – impact on PES services and counselling Thematic paper The European Network of Public Employment Services was created following a Decision of the European Parliament and Council in June 2014, amended in 2020. Its objective is to reinforce PES capacity, effectiveness and efficiency. This activity has been developed within the work programme of the European PES Network. For further information: [http://ec.europa.eu/social/PESNetwork](http://ec.europa.eu/social/PESNetwork). This activity has received financial support from the Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) strand of the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) for the period 2021-2027. For further information please consult: [https://ec.europa.eu/european-social-fund-plus/en/esf-direct-easi](https://ec.europa.eu/european-social-fund-plus/en/esf-direct-easi) LEGAL NOTICE The information and views set out in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the European Union. Neither the European Union institutions and bodies nor any person acting on their behalf may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein. More information on the European Union is available on the Internet ([http://www.europa.eu](http://www.europa.eu)). PDF ISBN 978-92-68-03128-5 doi: 10.2767/5829 KE-04-23-714-EN-N Manuscript completed in April 2023. The European Commission is not liable for any consequence stemming from the reuse of this publication. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2023. © European Union, 2023 The reuse policy of European Commission documents is implemented by the Commission Decision 2011/833/EU of 12 December 2011 on the reuse of Commission documents (OJ L 330, 14.12.2011, p. 39) . Except otherwise noted, the reuse of this document is authorised under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC-BY 4.0) licence ([https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)). This means that reuse is allowed provided appropriate credit is given and any changes are indicated. For any use or reproduction of elements that are not owned by the European Union, permission may need to besought directly from the respective rightholders. TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................... 7 1. BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE .................................................................................. 8 2. SKILLS ASSESSMENT, VALIDATION/RECOGNITION AND MICRO-CREDENTIALS IN PES – CURRENT PRACTICES ............................................................................................. 9 2.1 Skills assessment ............................................................................................. 9 2.2 Skills recognition and validation ....................................................................... 12 2.3 Micro-credentials ............................................................................................ 14 3. NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FIELDS OF SKILLS ASSESSMENT, VALIDATION/RECOGNITION AND MICRO-CREDENTIALS ........................................... 15 4. CHALLENGES OF SKILLS ASSESSMENT AND VALIDATION/RECOGNITION IN PES ............ 18 4.1 Coordination of skills assessment and recognition............................................... 18 4.2 Accessibility of skills assessment ...............

FAQs

What is the purpose of this PES Network seminar addressed in the paper?

The seminar aimed to support PES in further developing support for future skills by exchanging practices, focusing on new forms of skills assessment, recognition and validation, and skills-based training including micro-credentials.

How are skills assessments currently handled by PES in Europe?

Skills assessment processes are generally well established. PES provide and coordinate assessments through tests (online and on-site), self-assessment, and counsellor-supported services.

What improvements and developments are emphasized for PES going forward?

The paper highlights efforts to develop and improve tools and practices, especially for digital skills assessments, moving toward skills-based profiling and comprehensive assessment of both job-related and soft skills, using multi-level approaches that combine online self-assessment with counsellor support and practical assignments.

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Kyle