This study introduces a data-driven approach by combining text mining with ESCO to extract and standardize skills mentioned in EU policy texts. ESCO enables the authors to map unstructured policy language onto a structured and comparable set of skills. This step is crucial, as it transforms qualitative policy content into analyzable data.

Using these ESCO-aligned skills, the study applies network analysis to construct a policy-skill network, where skills are connected based on co-occurrence within documents. Through centrality and community detection techniques, the authors identify key (high-impact) skills and clusters of related competencies emerging across EU policies.

The results provide valuable insights into how skills are interconnected within the EU policy landscape. These findings can support educators, curriculum designers, and policymakers by informing curriculum development, aligning training programs with policy priorities, and identifying critical skill gaps. Ultimately, the study demonstrates how integrating ESCO with network analysis enables a more systematic and evidence-based understanding of skills in educational policy, laying the groundwork for future research on data-driven educational transformation.

Read the full study: "Extracting knowledge and highly demanded skills from European Union educational policies: a network analysis approach "

This article contributes to the broader collection of external ESCO publications, showcasing the use of ESCO within various methodologies or its presentation in both European and International contexts. As ESCO becomes increasingly used in applications and research projects across Europe and beyond, it is valuable to collect such sources and share best practices by diverse stakeholders. Therefore, this collection of external publications strengthens the exchange of knowledge within the ESCO community and can contribute to mutual learning in the field of skills, occupations and qualifications among European and international actors. If you are interested in sharing your publication, please write to EMPL-ESCO-SECRETARIAT@ec.europa.eu