Improving European employability with the e-portfolio

18.6 Conclusion

With a particular focus on competency grids, format harmonisation, system interoperability and protection of personal data and security issues, quality insurance process regarding e-portfolio concentrates on recommendations for further work on specifications and standards as well as building reference models and implementations to better match users’ needs.

The e-portfolio will provide an opportunity for the European Union to have a stronger implication in improving European employability through its promotion, provided there is a coordinated action regarding validation of competencies across Europe according to the Learner competency model developed by CEN, respecting personal data protection in the format used for e-portfolios and finally implementing system interoperability. A direct effect expected from developing appropriate European standards in this domain will be an increase of ease of use and efficiency of e-portfolios. The wider use of e-portfolio depends also on the human factor, namely the reactions of users and other stakeholders which have to be tackled by appropriate methods to be measured by quality procedures.