Many employees and job-seekers have skills gained from employment but do not hold any certificate as evidence of these skills. All too often, and as a direct result of this shortcoming, doubt is cast upon their abilities and their professional outlook is limited. However, a profession can be learnt in a variety of different manners: at school, of course, but also day by day, through work, through professional training or real-life experience. There are many learning methods:

The validation of competences mechanism is specifically aimed at officially recognising professional knowledge and know-how acquired outside of typical training channels. This recognition is organised by a Skills Validation Consortium bringing together training providers via Validation Centres which organise tests which, when successfully carried out, lead to the issuing of Skill Certificates.