The report titled „Landscape of Digital Skills Certification Schemes in the EU: An Analysis from the Perspective of the Digital Competence Framework (DigComp)“ provides the results of an analysis of the landscape of digital skills certification schemes in the EU carried out by the JRC. The study was conducted between November 2022 and January 2023, with final validation completed in February 2025. It aims to support the feasibility study for a European Digital Skills Certificate (EDSC), as part of Action 9 of the Digital Education Action Plan (2021-2027), and to enhance transparency and comparability of digital skills certifications within the EU. The report includes an in-depth analysis of 27 digital skills certification schemes used across EU member states.
Key Findings
- Diversity in Certification Schemes: The study found significant variations in the design, structure, and implementation of the 27 certification schemes.
- Alignment with DigComp: While many certifications reference the Digital Competence Framework (DigComp), their alignment varies in terms of depth and scope.
- Different Quality Assurance Measures: The certification processes, validation methods, and assessment standards differ across schemes.
- Technological and Technical Differences: Some schemes use advanced digital assessment methods, while others rely on traditional evaluation techniques.
- Challenges in Adoption and Recognition: The adoption of these certification schemes varies, leading to inconsistent recognition across EU member states.
Recommendations
- Develop a Unified European Digital Skills Certificate (EDSC): A standardized certification would enhance comparability and transparency of digital skills across Europe.
- Improve Alignment with DigComp: Future certifications should better align with the DigComp framework to ensure consistency.
- Enhance Quality Assurance: Strengthening validation and assessment mechanisms would improve the credibility of certifications.
- Promote Digital Certification Adoption: Awareness campaigns and EU-wide recognition efforts could encourage broader use of certifications.
Conclusion
The current digital skills certification landscape in the EU is fragmented and lacks harmonization. A unified certification framework (EDSC) would benefit individuals, employers, and policymakers. The study provides valuable insights to inform future policy decisions on digital skills certification.