TVETipedia Glossary

Basic skills

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The skills needed to live in contemporary society, such as listening, speaking, reading, writing and mathematics.

Comment: together with new basic skills, basic skills form key skills.

Source:
Cedefop, Terminology of European education and training policy. 2nd edition. A selection of 130 key terms, 2014
Cedefop, Terminology of European education and training policy. 2nd edition. A selection of 130 key terms, 2014
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What is the difference between skill gap, skill needs or skill shortage? Is underqualification a synonym for undereducation or underskilling? What is the meaning of green skills?
This multilingual glossary defines 130 key terms used in European education and training policy. An extended and updated version of Terminology of European education and training policy (2008) and Terminology of vocational training policy (2004), it also takes into account new priorities of European Union policy, mainly in skills and competence needs analysis. New definitions have been developed with the cooperation of experts from Cedefop’s research and policy analysis team.

A fundamental skill that is the basis of later learning or is essential for employment. The skills and competences needed to function in contemporary society, including listening, speaking, reading, writing and mathematics.

Source:
NCVER (Australia), VOCEDplus: Glossary of VET, (accessed 05/2026)
NCVER (Australia), VOCEDplus: Glossary of VET, (accessed 05/2026)
Access resource, available in English
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.