Skill contextualisation

Skill contextualisation is a method to create knowledge or skill and competence concepts by analysing how transversal skills, competences or knowledge are applied in the specific context of a sector or an occupation. This allows bringing transversal knowledge, skills and competences which are rather abstract to a more detailed level so that they can be directly used in occupational profiles.

Example:

The skill measure is too abstract to be linked directly to the occupation shop assistant. This relationship would produce too many results if used by in competence-based job matching since measuring is relevant for a large number of occupations and sectors.

Through skill contextualisation the skill can be made more specific. A skill named measure the size of furniture could for example be used in the occupational profile of a specialised seller for furniture.

Multi-layered skills contextualisation

Skills contextualisation can use several layers of making a generic, abstract skill more specific, by putting it into an increasingly narrow context. To this end, the skills reusability levels in ESCO can be used.

Example:

Relationships in skill contextualisation

Skill contextualisation can be expressed in two different manners:

• Through hierarchical relationships between a more specific skill and a more generic skill. Example: measure the size of objects is narrower than measure.
• By expressing which knowledge, skill and competence concept is relevant in order to develop another knowledge, skill and competence concept. Example: knowledge of furniture wood types is optional for the skill/competence advise customers on wood materials.

Skill decontextualisation

Skill decontextualisation is a method for generalising an occupation-specific knowledge, skill or competence so that it can be applied across sectors. It leads to the creation of more abstract and reusable knowledge, skill or competence concept.

Example: