Latin America and the Caribbean moves closer to mutual recognition of skills certifications through digital credentials

Labour migration and skills development

Latin America and the Caribbean moves closer to mutual recognition of skills certifications through digital credentials

In Panama, representatives from 13 countries advanced the Skills Passport, a regional mechanism designed to verify competencies and facilitate labour mobility through mutually recognized digital credentials.

11 June 2026

Tercera Reunión del Grupo Tripartito Promotor del Pasaporte de Habilidades en Panamá, junio de 2026. © OIT

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PANAMA CITY (ILO News) - Latin America and the Caribbean has taken an important step towards the launch of the Skills Passport, a regional tripartite mechanism that will enable the mutual recognition of skills certifications through verifiable digital credentials. During a technical meeting held on 10-11 June in Panama City, representatives from 13 countries advanced implementation guidelines for the initiative, which is expected to become operational in November 2026.

The meeting brought together vocational training institutions and employers' and workers' organizations from across Latin America and the Caribbean, alongside senior officials from Panama's National Institute for Vocational Training and Human Development (INADEH), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Pacific Alliance and specialists from the International Labour Organization (ILO). Discussions focused on strengthening the technical and institutional foundations needed to move the mechanism from the design phase to implementation.

The meeting was convened by INADEH in its role as Pro Tempore Chair of the Network of Vocational Training Institutes, with support from the ILO's Inter-American Centre for Knowledge Development in Vocational Training (Cinterfor) and the IDB. The initiative is entering a decisive stage, with the Skills Passport digital platform expected to begin operations in November 2026. At that point, the first mutual recognitions of skills certifications are expected to be issued through verifiable digital credentials featuring QR codes.

This regional effort is grounded in three essential elements: trust, creativity and the ability to turn a shared aspiration into reality.

Elena Montobbio, Director of the ILO's Inter-American Centre for Knowledge Development in Vocational Training(Cinterfor)

"We are building effective, relevant and people-centred solutions. This regional effort is grounded in three essential elements: trust, creativity and the ability to turn a shared aspiration into reality," said Elena Montobbio, Director of the ILO's Inter-American Centre for Knowledge Development in Vocational Training (Cinterfor).

A practical tool for workers and enterprises

Participants highlighted the practical value of the Skills Passport as a tool that serves the needs of workers and employers alike.

For workers, the mechanism can improve employability, enable the portability and verification of skills certifications across borders, support safe, orderly and regular labour migration, and contribute to more efficient and inclusive labour markets.

"The Skills Passport responds to the needs of both employers and workers as productive actors. Its legitimacy comes from the fact that it emerged through social dialogue," said Antonio Montero, workers' representative in the Skills Passport Tripartite Promotion Group.

For enterprises, the Skills Passport provides reliable information on workers' skills and competencies, helping to reduce staff turnover, facilitate access to qualified talent and improve productivity.

"The development of the Skills Passport is a strategic agenda for the region. It not only supports the socioeconomic integration of people on the move, but also addresses a key challenge for enterprises: access to reliable and verifiable information on workers' capabilities," said Florencia Suau, employers' representative in the Skills Passport Tripartite Promotion Group.

Two days of technical and institutional discussions

The meeting combined presentations, working groups and plenary sessions around six key areas: the architecture of the Skills Passport digital platform; quality and trust criteria for the mutual recognition of skills certifications; the design of initial pilot projects; strengthening governance and expanding the network; positioning the Skills Passport within the regional human mobility agenda; and ensuring the mechanism's financial sustainability.

On quality assurance, participants agreed on a set of guiding criteria that establish minimum verifiable conditions for institutions wishing to issue digital credentials through the Skills Passport. The approach combines an essential entry threshold with gradual accreditation and improvement pathways, helping to safeguard trust in the mechanism while enabling the participation of institutions at different stages of development.

Costa Rica's INA proposes a solidarity fund

One of the most significant developments related to financial sustainability was the presentation of the Impulsa Fund by Edgar Oviedo, Executive President of Costa Rica's National Learning Institute (INA). The proposal aims to create a collective investment mechanism among institutions in the regional network to accelerate implementation and ensure the long-term sustainability of the Skills Passport.

The proposed fund, based on differentiated financial contributions according to institutional capacity, was welcomed with interest and opened discussions on shared financial responsibility among the organizations supporting the regional initiative.

Participants agreed on the importance of combining international cooperation, partnerships with development banks and internal financing mechanisms to ensure both the sustainability and scalability of the Skills Passport.

Among the outcomes of the meeting was the decision to develop a communication and visibility strategy to strengthen the Skills Passport's position within the private sector and encourage its use in formal employment pathways.

Participants also highlighted the need to strengthen the regional network through broader engagement of ministries of labour, as well as closer institutional collaboration with ministries of education and migration authorities across participating countries.

Regarding pilot projects, participants identified several priority sectors, including care services linked to the Saber Cuidar Network, mining and construction, hospitality and gastronomy, and renewable energy. Two guiding principles were also proposed: aligning pilot projects with major regional investments and prioritizing value-chain approaches in their design and implementation.

What is the Skills Passport?

The Skills Passport is a regional tripartite mechanism built on social dialogue that enables the mutual recognition of skills certifications across countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Through a digital solution that ensures the portability and verification of credentials, it facilitates access to decent work, promotes safe labour mobility and contributes to more efficient and inclusive labour markets.