It is important to see the approach and achievements of the MOSEP programme in the context of the international move towards competency-based education and training, which aims to promote the development and recognition of individuals’ talent and potential – and to ensure a match with the demands of the workplace.

In Europe, important policy initiatives such as the Maastricht and Copenhagen declarations have highlighted the need for ‘recognition and transferability of qualifications covering both VET and general education, based mainly on competences and learning outcomes’ to  support the smooth and effective functioning of the European, national and sectoral labour markets. This need has been addressed by the development of a European Qualifications Framework and of the Europass ‘portfolio’ that includes the European CV, certificate and diploma supplements, the Common European framework of reference for languages and the EUROPASS.

The EQF offers the following composite definition of competence:
Competence includes:

• Cognitive competence involving the use of theory and concepts, as well as informal tacit knowledge gained experientially
• Functional competence (skills or know-how), those things that a person should be able to do when they are functioning in a given area of work, learning or social activity.
• Personal competence involving knowing how to conduct oneself in a specific situation; and iv) ethical competence involving the possession of certain personal and professional values.

Today we can find many examples in Europe in the area of VET where the ePortfolio is enabling individuals to demonstrate these critical aspects of competence for self-development and recognition/certification. A look at the components and features of an ePortfolio shows the rich possibilities of this tool.

• Archives – Collection. The individual student/employee is able to document learning achievements and assets (competencies, tacit and explicit knowledge) in the form of artefacts, reflections, testimonies, etc.
• Views – Representation. The individual decides to publicise his/her learning achievements and assets in the form of tangible evidence of competence, reflection, certificates etc.
• Services – Exploitation. The individual maintains and exploits his/her lifelong ePortfolio to develop generic and specific competencies, share information to create communities, receive feedback, have his/her competencies assessed, find a job, obtain promotion etc.