Unlocking the Future of Skills: Exploring ESCO v1.2

The European Commission's latest update to ESCO, the European classification of Skills, Competences, Occupations, and Qualifications, is here!

With a strong focus on green and digital transitions, ESCO v1.2 reflects the evolving demands of the labour market and aligns with the European Year of Skills.

What's New in ESCO v1.2?

This update is packed with substantial updates, enhancing its Linked Open Data (LOD) and semantic interoperability:

• New Additions: 35 new occupations, 42 skills, and 196 knowledge concepts.
• Improved Labels: 677 alternative labels and 96 hidden terms for improved semantic classification and discoverability.
• Quality Boosts: Over 12,000 concepts updated, including the removal of duplicate terms, correction of orphan skills, and reallocation within the skills hierarchy to enhance data quality and interoperability.
• Translation Upgrades: Improved translations in 8 languages and the inclusion of national sign languages to support multilingual access and usability.

Get Started with ESCO v1.2

Accessing and using ESCO v1.2 is now easier than ever. Here’s how you can dive in:

• ESCO API: Integrate ESCO data seamlessly into your apps with the ESCO API. Access the API.
• ESCO Downloads: Download datasets in RDF, ODS, or CSV formats for easy integration. Download datasets.
• ESCO SPARQL Endpoint: Perform advanced queries on the ESCO dataset. Access it here.
• ESCO Model: Understand the data structure for better semantic interoperability. Learn more here.
• ESCO Mapping Data: Link ESCO classifications with other standards. Explore the mapping data.

The Power of Data-Driven Development and AI

ESCO v1.2 has been developed using a robust data-driven approach combining human expertise and advanced AI techniques. This approach ensures the classification remains relevant and comprehensive by:

• Extracting Terms: Gathering terminology from online job advertisements, courses, and qualifications to reflect current labour market language and trends.
• AI Analysis: Utilising customised AI models to analyse and process the extracted terms, ensuring accurate semantic representation and alignment with existing data.
• Term Integration: Linking new terms with existing ESCO terms to improve accuracy and semantic relevance, ensuring coherence within the dataset.
• Expert Review: Iteratively reviewing the data with thematic and national experts to provide valuable input on newly introduced changes, ensuring cultural and contextual accuracy.

This methodology enhances the quality of the content and ensures that the classification evolves with market needs, maintaining its relevance and utility in a dynamic labour market.

Real-World Applications and Global Impact

The ESCO v1.2 launch event showcased various practical applications of ESCO, emphasising its role in enhancing job matching, developing classification systems, and analysing labour market data. Key highlights included:

• Public Employment Services: Demonstrations of how ESCO is used in countries like Greece, Finland, and Denmark for job matching and career guidance.
• Global Reach: Insights on ESCO's application beyond the EU, including countries like Chile and Iceland, highlighting its global interoperability.
• Digital Credentialing: Discussions on linking qualifications to ESCO skills and developing digital credentials for learning, enhancing the interoperability of qualifications and skills data.

Conclusion

The release of ESCO v1.2 represents a significant step forward in the classification of skills and occupations within the EU. By leveraging Linked Open Data, AI, and extensive stakeholder engagement, ESCO v1.2 ensures that the classification system remains dynamic, relevant, and highly beneficial for the labour market, education, and training sectors.The comprehensive improvements and the innovative approach of ESCO v1.2 ensure it remains a crucial tool for aligning skills and occupations with the needs of the modern workforce.

Sources

• ESCO v1.2 Release Announcement
• ESCO v1.2 Launch Event
• European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations