Definition

Learned and proven abilities which are commonly seen as necessary or valuable for effective action in virtually any kind of work, learning or life activity.

Comment:

• ESCO identifies six main categories of transversal skills and competences:
• core skills and competences;
• thinking skills and competences;
• self-management skills and competences;
• social and communication skills and competences;
• physical and manual skills and competences;
• life skills and competences;
  
• transversal skills and competences are not exclusively related to a particular context (job, occupation, academic discipline, civic or community engagement, occupational sector, group of occupational sectors, etc.);
  
  
• they are also referred to using alternative terms like ‘basic’, ‘soft’, ‘non-cognitive’, ‘socio-emotional or ‘core’ skills and competences, which frequently address a more limited set of skills and competences;
  
  
• this term is close to, but not synonymous with: transferable skills and competences.