The Skill Reusability Spectrum
Skills exist on a spectrum from highly portable to deeply contextual. ESCO models this with four levels:
Transversal: Relevant across nearly all occupations and sectors. Communication, teamwork, critical thinking. The “soft skills” that transfer everywhere.
Cross-sector: Applicable across multiple industries but more specialized. Project management, data analysis, customer service.
Sector-specific: Tied to one industry but relevant to multiple roles within it. Healthcare compliance, financial regulation knowledge, construction safety standards.
Occupation-specific: Skills that typically only matter for one occupation and its specialisms. Cocktail mixing techniques, violin restoration methods.
The further down the spectrum, the more context is required for the skill to have meaning. The further up, the harder the skill is to assess or credential precisely.