Escot

ESCOt, or the European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations Taxonomy, is a multilingual classification system developed by the European Commission. It aims to provide a common language for describing skills, competences, qualifications, and occupations across Europe. The taxonomy is designed to facilitate the mobility of workers, the recognition of qualifications, and the development of skills in the European labor market.

ESCOt is structured into four main domains: skills, competences, qualifications, and occupations. Skills refer to the knowledge, abilities, and personal attributes that individuals possess. Competences are the skills and knowledge applied in a specific context or situation. Qualifications are the formal recognition of an individual's skills, competences, and knowledge, often awarded through education, training, or work experience. Occupations are the roles and tasks that individuals perform in the labor market.

The taxonomy is organized into a hierarchical structure, with broad categories at the top and more specific terms at the bottom. This structure allows for flexibility and adaptability, enabling users to describe skills, competences, qualifications, and occupations at varying levels of detail. ESCOt is also designed to be interoperable with other classification systems, ensuring consistency and comparability across different contexts and sectors.

ESCOt is maintained and updated by the European Commission, with input from stakeholders across Europe. The taxonomy is regularly reviewed and revised to reflect changes in the labor market and the needs of users. ESCOt is freely available for use by anyone, and it is widely used by policymakers, employers, and educational institutions to support the development of skills and the mobility of workers in Europe.