The Purpose of the Skills System
The goal of the skills system being developed in Estonia is to create a tool that systematizes and describes skills specific to the Estonian labor market, helps individuals assess them, and predicts their future needs. The system provides a unified foundation for workforce development, enhancing occupational mobility, and aligning workforce skills with labor market demands. The Estonian skills system is being developed in cooperation between the Estonian Qualifications Authority and the Ministry of Education and Research and is funded by the European Social Fund project “Reform of Estonian professional qualifications system” (2022–2029).
Skills-Based Approach
The need for a skills system has arisen due to a shift in the labor market where, in addition to professions and qualifications, a skills-based approach has become increasingly important. The labor market is becoming more diverse (with various work environments, evolving tasks, and a greater emphasis on digital technology), lifelong learning is increasingly necessary and encouraged, and skills are often acquired outside formal education.
As a result, the same job title may require different skill sets (e.g., project manager, assistant), and countries may have different expectations and requirements for the same occupation (e.g., healthcare workers, security personnel). In the context of the green and digital transitions, which are transforming industries and job roles, the labor market is also seeing an increasing demand for entirely new skills.
A skills-based approach emphasizes individual skills more clearly and enables:
- Job seekers to identify and leverage their strengths.
- Employers can quickly find employees whose skills span multiple professions.
- Workers to apply skills acquired outside traditional work contexts.
- Individuals with partial skill sets to find employment even if they do not meet the full occupational profile.
- Transferable skills to be applied when making a career change (the same skill can be used in different occupations).
- Greater awareness of generic skills needed across various jobs.
- Employers assess only the skills required for job performance.
- Evaluation of skill performance beyond formal competencies or learning outcomes.
- Tracking of an individual’s skill development over time.
- Mapping of learning outcomes in curricula within the context of skill development.
Target Groups
A skills-based approach benefits all labor market participants, particularly:
- Individuals planning learning and career paths (students entering the job market, career changers, those seeking qualification upgrades, job seekers without formal training, people with reduced work capacity, retirees wishing to work).
- Researchers conducting labor market and skills needs studies.
- Employers in defining job requirements.
- Career advisors in guiding individuals.
- Educators and policymakers in designing training programs, research, and qualification standards.