TVETipedia Glossary

Skills ecosystem

Social, political and economic settings within which skills are developed and deployed (Buchanan, 2017). Besides local issues linked to local business needs, skill ecosystems encompass macro conditions linked to institutional and political contexts. These macro conditions can include agreed national visions and plans, and sector or regional development strategies. Effective “skills ecosystems” is where the link between the development and the use of skills is emphasized and different institutions work together to address local needs.

Source:
Based on ILO 2020, Policy Brief: Effective governance and coordination in skills systems: towards a lifelong learning ecosystem

Refers to a self-sustaining concentration of workforce skills and knowledge in an industry or a region and has been used in Australia to guide a series of national VET projects.

Source:
NCVER (Australia), VOCEDplus: Glossary of VET, (accessed 05/2026)
NCVER (Australia), VOCEDplus: Glossary of VET, (accessed 05/2026)
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This glossary is a compilation of Australian vocational education and training (VET) terms and acronyms. It includes both current and historical terms, concepts, acronyms and other abbreviations found in Australian VET research, policy and data.

Community (businesses, industry/sector, education and training providers, NGOs, local or regional stakeholders, etc.) in which individuals and organisations connect and interact to address skill needs and develop, use and transmit, in an autonomous way, knowledge, abilities and competences.

Comment

A skills ecosystem requires appropriate governance (skill needs assessment and anticipation, skills forecast, responsiveness of education and training systems) to improve individuals’ skills and adapt to changes.

Source:
Cedefop, Glossary. Terminology of European education and training policy, (last accessed 10/2024)
Cedefop, Glossary. Terminology of European education and training policy, (last accessed 10/2024)
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This revised and expanded multilingual glossary defines 430 key terms used in European education and training policy. Building on the Terminology of European education and training policy – A selection of 130 key terms, published in 2014, this latest version, which draws on the experiences of Cedefop’s experts, gives new definitions and covers the latest European Union policy priorities, particularly on skills intelligence and employment.
Terms are provided in 8 languages: German, Greek, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch and Portuguese. Definitions are available in English, German and French.