Beroepstaken

Beroepstaken are the concrete activities that professionals perform as part of their work. They describe observable actions, the results that are expected, and the use of tools, knowledge and judgment in real work settings. The term is used to define what someone must be able to do to fulfill an occupation and to anchor assessment, training and job descriptions.

The concept is central in vocational education and in many competence frameworks. In the Netherlands and Flanders, beroepsprofielen and competence models are often organized around a set of beroepstaken. This helps align curricula with labor market needs, clarifies expectations for students and employees, and supports consistent evaluation across workplaces and educational programs.

Each beroepstaak usually has a title, a short description, the context or conditions under which it is carried out, and indicators of satisfactory performance. Many models also specify the required knowledge, skills and attitudes, as well as safety, quality and compliance requirements and the tools or methods used. Beroepstaken can be grouped into clusters that reflect a profession’s core activities and responsibilities.

Beroepstaken are used for multiple purposes, including designing courses and assessments, guiding on the job learning during internships, and evaluating professional performance in employment. They support a shift from time-based to competency-based approaches, focusing on what the learner or worker can actually do.

Examples include tasks for a kitchen assistant such as preparing ingredients, following recipes and applying hygiene standards; or for a receptionist such as welcoming visitors, handling phone and email inquiries, and registering client data.