The Parallel Universes are Coalescing: e-Certification in Europe

E-Skills and support of Europe's innovative capacity in ICT remains one of the hot topics being discussed. In its recent issue paper the Working Group 6 "Skills and Lifelong Learning" established by the European Commission argued that "human capacity building must remain a cross-sectoral and critical area of focus for the European Software Strategy as a whole". E-Certification summarises "industry- based certification best practices of tested informal delivery of global industry-based e-skills standards and certifications" but as well newly emerging schemes as titled as "vendor-independent" offerings. The paper looks at current developments in the field of e-Certification, referring to an open-consensus workshop initiative "e-Certification in Europe" within CEN. The way forward is outlined to achieve a multi-stakeholder approach for e-Certifications to be aligned to European quality criteria under discussion.