# Europe's Skills Passport Missing a Page

> EMPASS micro-credentials aim to fill skills gaps in Europe's digital passport system.
- Title: Europe's Skills Passport Missing a Page · EUobserver
- Summary: EMPASS micro-credentials aim to fill skills gaps in Europe's digital passport system. EMPASS micro-credentials help young Europeans show employability skills…
- Keywords: skills passport, empass, employment skills pass, eu commission, skills portability act, micro-credentials, youth employability, erasmus plus, politics, world, Europe's, Skills
- Source: EUobserver — https://euobserver.com/242377/europes-skills-passport-is-missing-a-page-empasswants-to-add-it
- Published: 2026-10-13T04:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: skills passport, empass, employment skills pass, eu commission, skills portability act, micro-credentials, youth employability, erasmus plus, politics, world
## Skills Passport Gap
The European Commission proposed a Skills Portability Act on 15 September to make qualifications digital and comparable across borders.
## Skills Shortages
74 percent of small and medium enterprises reported skills shortages affecting at least one job role according to the 2023 flash eurobarometer.
## Education-Work Mismatch
Only 56.4 percent of eu youth aged 15-34 with medium or high education reported high job match in 2024.
## Micro-Credentials Solution
JA Europe's EMPASS project develops micro-credentials for 11 employability skills like communication and resilience.
## Pilot Success
2,700 young people hold empass certificates after piloting with 1,500 students in greece, romania and spain.
## Global Impact
EMPASS has been adopted in ukraine, lithuania and the global alliance for youth mentoring program.
## Key Questions
Can young people show verified skills across borders? Can employers trust micro-credentials? Can schools integrate them without burden?
## Next Steps
A forum on 14 october will address skills portability with policymakers, employers and educators.
## Key takeaway

EMPASS micro-credentials help young Europeans show employability skills across borders without diplomas.