The European Federation of Geologists has contributed to the European Commission’s call for evidence on the Skills Portability Initiative, a key policy initiative designed to strengthen labour mobility, enhance skills transparency, and reinforce the effective functioning of the EU Single Market.
Recognising the strategic importance of the geology profession for Europe’s green, digital, and industrial transitions, EFG submitted three separate responses: one for each of the Initiative’s actions. While the core analysis and evidence provided are consistent across all submissions, specific recommendations were tailored to each action.
Action 1: Facilitating Worker Mobility through Skills Transparency and Digitalisation
EFG emphasised the need to improve the transparency, comparability, and digital interoperability of professional qualifications. The geology profession is characterised by high mobility, yet professionals continue to face barriers linked to fragmented recognition systems, limited digitalisation of credentials, and insufficient trust in cross-border qualifications. EFG highlighted the importance of:
- Systematic referencing of qualifications to National Qualifications Frameworks (NQFs) and the European Qualifications Framework (EQF)
- Interoperable digital credentials aligned with EU systems such as the European Learning Model and the EU Digital Identity Wallet
- Recognition of micro-credentials and lifelong learning
- Reducing administrative burdens through secure digital sharing of verified credentials.
EFG also indicated that the EurGeol Register and Expert Database could support pilot solutions for interoperable digital credentials under this action.
Action 2: Modernising and Expanding Recognition Processes for Regulated Professions
EFG addressed the structural challenges linked to the recognition of geology qualifications under Directive 2005/36/EC. As geology is not covered by automatic recognition, professionals must rely on the general system, which is often lengthy, costly, and unpredictable. EFG recommended:
- Extending automatic recognition mechanisms to additional professions, including geology
- Developing a Common Training Framework (CTF) for geology
- Digitalising and simplifying recognition procedures
- Recognising trusted European professional certifications such as EurGeol as complementary quality assurance tools.
These measures would enhance predictability, strengthen mutual trust between Member States, and reduce administrative burdens.
Action 3: Simplifying the Recognition of Qualifications and Skills of Third-Country Nationals
In its submission on Action 3, EFG focused on the need to simplify and harmonise recognition processes for highly skilled third-country professionals, particularly in sectors facing labour shortages. EFG recommended:
- Clear EU-level rules with transparent procedures and deadlines
- Digital workflows to streamline applications
- EU-level comparison of third-country qualification frameworks with the EQF
- Pragmatic solutions such as temporary supervised access to employment during pending recognition;
- Use of established European professional certifications, such as EurGeol, as reference benchmarks for competence assessment.
Across all three submissions, EFG underlined that action at EU level is essential to ensure coherence, prevent fragmentation, and build mutual trust between national systems. Effective skills portability is not only a matter of professional mobility – it is a strategic enabler for Europe’s competitiveness, resilience, and delivery of the green and digital transitions. The European Federation of Geologists remains committed to working closely with the European Commission and Member States to ensure the effective and timely implementation of the Skills Portability Initiative.
For a comprehensive overview of EFG’s evidence, analysis, and recommendations, we invite you to read our full submission to the European Commission’s consultation on the Skills Portability Initiative: https://eurogeologists.eu/go/efg-feedback-eu-skills-portability-initiative
