Assessment and accreditation of basic competences in Spain
Author: Euroguidance Spain National Centre
In February 2025, the Spanish Ministry of Education, VET and Sports has published a new regulation outlining the procedure for the accreditation of basic competences, a significant step towards improving employability and social inclusion. This new framework is presented as a key tool for the education and labour systems in Spain, especially in contexts where supporting individuals with discontinuous educational trajectories or little formal training is a priority.
Beneficiaries
After analysing the difficulties in socio-occupational integration of the unqualified population, it became necessary to develop a procedure that would accredit basic competences of these people.
The procedure aims to officially accredit three key competences: communication in the Spanish language, mathematical competence and digital competence. These skills, defined as ‘basic’ in the context of lifelong learning, are essential for both labour market integration and active participation in society.
This can help, for example, people with discontinuous educational trajectories, as it will allow them to obtain a certification through the official accreditation of the skills they have obtained throughout their experience. Thus, they will be able to use this accreditation to continue their training itinerary and obtain a degree or certificate in the Vocational Training system.
Accessible to a broad spectrum of adults
The accreditation process is designed to be accessible to a wide range of adults to provide equal opportunities for adults who need it most like long term employed, people in intermittent employment or those who left the education system without obtaining formal qualifications, specifically:
- Individuals who are 18 years or older, not currently meeting any specific requirement for access for VET programs
- Spanish nationality or individuals holding other valid documentation according to Spanish immigration regulations.
Procedure Phases
The new model is based on a person-centred approach of guidance. It enables the recognition of learning acquired in multiple contexts, including the work environment, everyday life or volunteering. It unfolds in the following phases:
- Initiation. Applicants can enrol in the process either by electronic means or in person, advised by professional guidance providers in authorised centres.
- Instruction. An assessment team evaluates the evidence of work experience and non-formal learning provided by the person. The evaluation is aligned with levels 1 to 4 of the Spanish Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning, in line with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).
- Resolution of accreditation of basic competences. Once the process has been successfully completed, the basic competences are officially accredited.
Implications for career guidance
This framework reinforces the role of guidance as an integral accompaniment, not only in the professional choice, but also in the enhancement of previous knowledge, the construction of trajectories and the access to new training and employment paths.
Through continued monitoring, the accreditation of competences turns guidance professionals into facilitators of lifelong learning, empowerment agents and guides towards improved employability and social inclusion.
Euroguidance Spain National Centre
Unit of Career Guidance and Lifelong Learning
General Secretariat for Vocational Training
Ministry of Education, VET and Sports
