In this context, national qualifications frameworks (NQFs) play a key role by providing structured systems that enhance transparency, comparability and mutual trust between Member States, while supporting flexible learning pathways essential for Europe’s economic and social resilience.

Cedefop’s latest publication, Making qualifications and skills more visible: the potential of national qualifications frameworks (NQFs) in the Union of Skills, provides an updated and forward-looking assessment of how NQFs are evolving to meet these challenges. Launched during a recent Cedefop webinar, the brief draws on data from the 2025 update of the European inventory of NQFs covering 42 countries and examines recent trends in implementation, use and impact. As noted by Koen Nomden, Team Leader for Transparency and Recognition of Skills and Qualifications, during the presentation event of this publication:

NQFs are not merely technical instruments but living systems that must keep pace with evolving skills and qualifications — especially as labour markets and technologies rapidly change.

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