Definition

Framework set by the Council of the European Union in 2016, recommending that EU Member States, in accordance with national legislation, circumstances and available resources, and in close cooperation with social partners and education and training providers:

• offer adults with a low level of skills, knowledge and competences, for example those who have left initial education or training without completing upper secondary education or equivalent, access to upskilling pathways which provide them with the opportunity, according to their individual needs, to acquire:
  
  
• a minimum level of literacy, numeracy and digital competence;
• a wider set of skills, knowledge and competences, relevant for the labour market and active participation in society, by making progress towards a qualification at EQF level 3 or 4 depending on national circumstances;

• identify priority target groups for the delivery of upskilling pathways at national level; in doing so, take also into account the gender, diversity and various sub-groups in the targeted population;
• base the design of the upskilling pathways on three steps:
  
  
• skills audit;
• provision of a tailored, flexible and quality learning offer;
• validation and recognition of skills acquired.