The Netherlands Gets a National Standard for Describing Skills

Technological and societal changes are putting pressure on the job market. They demand more agility and better utilization of talent. Focusing on skills is becoming increasingly important for career development, education, and job market matching.

“A common language to describe skills is a crucial step towards a job market where talent counts, not just the paper,” said Yvonne Vogelenzang, coordinating program manager of CompetentNL. “Employers, educational institutions, and service providers can work together better and respond more quickly to changes in the job market.”

CompetentNL makes it possible to describe what people truly know and can do in a uniform and precise manner. The skill language describes and connects the skills of all professions and, initially, all MBO qualifications in the Netherlands.

The basic version of CompetentNL can be viewed and consulted via the Viewer at www.CompetentNL.nl. Tool builders also have access to the skills data via an API (Application Programming Interface) or a SPARQL endpoint - a query language that allows the data to be easily accessed and integrated into their own applications.

How CompetentNL is used in practice is up to the developers of applications for end users. Examples of applications include skills matching tools, digital learning portfolios, curriculum development, and labor market analyses. End users include employers, municipalities, educational providers, students, workers, and job seekers.

In 2026, the basic version of CompetentNL will be further developed. Yvonne Vogelenzang: “We are improving the quality of the data and exploring how other education sectors and non-formal education can also be linked to CompetentNL. This is done partly based on feedback from the users.”

If you want to know more about CompetentNL, the skills data, or how you can get involved, visit www.competentnl.nl for background information, frequently asked questions, and technical documentation.