European digital skills certificate (EDSC) feasibility study: annexes to the report

This report presents the results of a feasibility study of the European Digital Skills Certificate (EDSC), as Action 9 of the Digital Education Action Plan (2021-2027). The study reflects the results of a year-long series of consultation activities that have engaged a wide range of stakeholders. Stakeholders see the EDSC as a Quality Label for existing digital skills certifications rather than a European Certificate in its own right. Certification providers would then have the possibility to obtain the EDSC Quality Label through an accreditation process. The EDSC Quality Label would entail a framework of requirements and recommendations that certification providers would comply with, within a governance structure. The evidence of this study shows that, in spite of the broad set of potential benefits and added value that a trusted European Quality Label on digital skills certificates could bring, and the existence of a high potential demand for an EDSC as estimated by the participants in the study, the current demand for an EDSC in the EU is limited. This is further confirmed by a majority of stakeholders pointing to the lack of demand as a key challenge for the implementation of an EDSC. Among stakeholder groups the participation of employers was lower than desired, which places nevertheless some limitations on the interpretation of the results on the analysis of the demand. An additional challenge reported is the insufficient provision of education and training on digital skills. The study also showed that digital skills certificates should be better adapted to labour market needs. Furthermore, the study has identified a varied but overall moderate level of readiness for an EDSC across Member States indicating that substantial effort would be needed to implement and reap the benefits from an EDSC. The feasibility analysis explored technical considerations for each requirement and recommendation defining the EDSC Quality Label, drew a cost-benefit analysis, examined a potential governance structure and outlined the possible building blocks for its implementation. The analysis shows that the model that emerged from the study for an EDSC would entail significant implementation and permanent operational costs. In addition, the development of a broad set of actions or building blocks for the EDSC to deliver its expected benefits would be needed, including, among others, the setting up of a supporting policy framework, the development of a relevant education an