TVETipedia Glossary

Transferable skills

Transferable skills include the ability to solve problems, communicate ideas and information effectively, be creative, show leadership and conscientiousness, and demonstrate entrepreneurial capabilities. People need these skills to be able to adapt to different work environments and so improve their chances of staying in gainful employment.

Source:
UNESCO, EFA Global monitoring report: Youth and skills, putting education to work, 2012
UNESCO, EFA Global monitoring report: Youth and skills, putting education to work, 2012
Access resource, available in English
The 2012 EFA Global Monitoring Report is divided into two parts. Part I provides a snapshot of progress towards the six EFA goals, and towards spending on education to finance the goals. Part II turns to the third EFA goal, paying particular attention to the skills needs of young people.

(transferable skills and competences)

Knowledge, know-how, abilities and attitudes that an individual can use across jobs and across his/her career and education or training path.

Comment

Transferable skills and competences may refer to:

1) 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;

2) specific, job-related skills and competences;

In the literature, transferable skills and competences are also referred to as portable skills;

This term is close to, but not synonymous with: transversal skills and competences.

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)
Access resource, available in English, French, German
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.