European Software Skills Alliance (ESSA)

December 2020 – November 2024

The European Software Skills Alliance (ESSA) aims to skill, upskill, and reskill individuals for high-demand software roles in Europe, addressing the shortage of professionals. ESSA’s strategy targets skill mismatches through training, qualifications, and mobility solutions, evolving with market demand to support growth and innovation. Using the European e-Competence Framework (e-CF), ESSA identifies key e-competences and essential software roles linking them to the European Qualification Framework (EQF) and other standards.

DIGITALEUROPE is the coordinator of the ESSA project, overseeing project management, long-term sustainability and quality assurance throughout its duration and beyond, while also leading communication efforts to promote the ESSA project and its results.

Visit the website at www.softwareskills.eu and follow ESSA on Twitter and LinkedIn.

This four-year project is funded by the European Commission under the Erasmus+ Programme.

Impact of the project:

Established a European Software Skills Strategy aligned with market needs, providing a roadmap for future software skills development.
Created an extensive repository of open-access learning programmes and materials, enhancing accessibility to software skill-building resources.
Implemented ESSA Pilot Learning Programs, engaging over 400 students and 70+ trainers across higher and vocational education levels, thereby directly boosting software skills capacity.
Built a network of stakeholders in software skills development, including the ESSA Software Skills community and associated partners, fostering ongoing collaboration and knowledge exchange in the field.