EASEC Awards 2026: Global Recognition for Excellence in Skills and Employability
The only European recognition programme where excellence in skills development is measured, verified and ranked — not just declared. Open to all institutions worldwide.
Standard — 20% off · Applications submitted between 1 July and 31 October 2026.
Why the EASEC Awards Matter for Your Institution
Skills development and employability are at the centre of institutional strategy worldwide. Universities, business schools, training organisations and employers are investing in how people develop, assess and recognise transversal competencies aligned with labour market demands.
Yet many of these initiatives — including programmes with measurable impact in graduate employability, competency-based education and education-employer partnerships — remain invisible beyond their own institutions.
The EASEC Awards 2026 exist to change that: a structured, data-verified recognition programme that identifies and ranks the institutions and leaders making the greatest impact in skills development and employability across Europe and beyond.
EASEC Official Ranking
2026 EditionUniversitat de les Competències
Spain · Higher Education
94.2
Punteggio
Instituto Europeo de Talento
Portugal · Business School
91.7
Punteggio
Akademie für Beschäftigung
Germany · VET Centre
89.3
Punteggio
Your Institution
Could be here · Apply now
—
Punteggio
Illustrative ranking — fictional institutions
Cosa sono i Premi EASEC?
The EASEC Awards are an annual recognition programme organised by EASEC — European Accreditation of Soft Skills and Employability Competencies. Unlike conventional awards based on self-declarations, every EASEC Awards category applies an independent evaluation, audit or psychometric assessment to verify the results.
Four Categories of Excellence
The programme recognises excellence across four categories covering institutional performance in skills development, programme quality in employability, education-employer partnerships, and individual leadership in the competencies field.
An Evaluation Report for Every Participant
All participants receive an EASEC evaluation report — a data-verified assessment of their institution, programme or individual contribution, regardless of final ranking position.
Public Ranking and Annual Ceremony
The highest-scoring institutions and individuals are publicly ranked and recognised at the annual EASEC Awards Ceremony — a visible, verifiable benchmark across Europe and beyond.
Four Categories. Data-Verified Excellence.
Each EASEC Awards category applies a specific evaluation method — from psychometric student assessments to programme audits aligned with ESCO, EQF and WEF Future of Jobs frameworks. What gets recognised, gets demonstrated with data.
EASEC Ranking in Skills Development
Do your students truly develop the competencies you declare?
Best Employability Programme Award
For the programme that best prepares its participants for the real labour market.
Education-Employer Partnership Award
For institutions whose relationship with employers produces measurable results.
Competency Leader of the Year Award
For the individual making the greatest contribution to advancing skills development.
EASEC Ranking in Skills Development
Do your students truly develop the competencies you declare? We measure it with real data and publish the results.
Evaluation method
Psychometric assessment of a real student sampleChi può presentare domanda
Come funziona
Your institution declares its strongest competencies. EASEC evaluates a real sample of your students using validated psychometric instruments. Results are expressed in EQF levels and comparative percentiles among institutions of the same type. Universities compete with universities; schools with schools. The top 10 in each group are published in the EASEC Ranking with their verified scores.
Every participating institution receives a detailed results report with verified data — regardless of ranking position.
Best Employability Programme Award
For the programme that best prepares its participants for the real labour market — evaluated against European and international standards.
Evaluation method
Full programme reviewChi può presentare domanda
Come funziona
Submit the documentation for one specific programme. EASEC analyses its design, objectives, methodology and evidence of results against the ESCO, EQF, Tuning and WEF Future of Jobs frameworks. A curricular alignment report with scoring is generated. All applicants receive the EASEC curricular alignment report regardless of final ranking. The top 10 programmes are published by institution type.
Education-Employer Partnership Award
For institutions whose relationship with employers produces measurable results in employability and professional insertion.
Evaluation method
Programme review + employment data verificationChi può presentare domanda
Come funziona
EASEC reviews the programme design in collaboration with employers plus verifiable evidence of results: employment rates, active agreements, curricular co-design. The depth of the partnership and its verifiable impact on employability are assessed. Winners receive the EASEC "Market-Connected Institution" seal. The top 10 institutions are published in the ranking.
Competency Leader of the Year Award
For the individual making the greatest contribution to advancing skills development and employability — in an organisation, an education system or the entire sector.
Evaluation method
Individual portfolio reviewChi può presentare domanda
Come funziona
Submit a portfolio with concrete evidence: projects, reach, publications, measurable outcomes. The EASEC jury evaluates real impact, reach and innovation. Both established and emerging profiles are eligible — there is no minimum experience requirement. One winner and up to 3 officially recognised finalists per edition.
EASEC Ranking in Skills Development
Do your students truly develop the competencies you declare?
Evaluation method
Psychometric assessment of a real student sampleChi può presentare domanda
Come funziona
Your institution declares its strongest competencies. EASEC evaluates a real sample of your students using validated psychometric instruments. Results are expressed in EQF levels and comparative percentiles among institutions of the same type. Universities compete with universities; schools with schools. The top 10 in each group are published in the EASEC Ranking with their verified scores.
Every participating institution receives a detailed results report with verified data — regardless of ranking position.
Best Employability Programme Award
For the programme that best prepares its participants for the real labour market.
Evaluation method
Full programme reviewChi può presentare domanda
Come funziona
Submit the documentation for one specific programme. EASEC analyses its design, objectives, methodology and evidence of results against the ESCO, EQF, Tuning and WEF Future of Jobs frameworks. A curricular alignment report with scoring is generated. All applicants receive the EASEC curricular alignment report regardless of final ranking. The top 10 programmes are published by institution type.
Education-Employer Partnership Award
For institutions whose relationship with employers produces measurable results.
Evaluation method
Programme review + employment data verificationChi può presentare domanda
Come funziona
EASEC reviews the programme design in collaboration with employers plus verifiable evidence of results: employment rates, active agreements, curricular co-design. The depth of the partnership and its verifiable impact on employability are assessed. Winners receive the EASEC "Market-Connected Institution" seal. The top 10 institutions are published in the ranking.
Competency Leader of the Year Award
For the individual making the greatest contribution to advancing skills development.
Evaluation method
Individual portfolio reviewChi può presentare domanda
Come funziona
Submit a portfolio with concrete evidence: projects, reach, publications, measurable outcomes. The EASEC jury evaluates real impact, reach and innovation. Both established and emerging profiles are eligible — there is no minimum experience requirement. One winner and up to 3 officially recognised finalists per edition.
What to Prepare for Your Category
All supporting materials are shared via a Google Drive or OneDrive link with open viewing permissions — anyone with the link can view, with no access request needed.
EASEC Ranking in Competency Development
Submit an Excel file with participant data. You will receive detailed instructions once your candidacy has been formalised.
Excel file with the full name and e-mail address of each student who will take part in the assessment (max. 100 participants)
Shared via a Drive or OneDrive link after the candidacy has been formalised
All participants receive a verified results report, regardless of their final position.
Best Employability Programme Award
Complete an online programme form and share supporting materials. The EASEC team will set up your institutional account after payment confirmation.
Detailed programme form completed online: objectives, competency map, methodological description, learning assessment system, and evidence of results
Drive or OneDrive link with supporting materials to complement the description
After payment confirmation, the EASEC team will be in touch to set up an institutional account
All applicant institutions receive a curricular alignment report, regardless of the final outcome.
Education–Industry Alliance Award
Share documentation of your partnerships, employability data, co-design model and evidence of impact via a single Drive or OneDrive link.
Active agreements or partnerships with employers (sensitive data may be anonymised)
Verifiable employability data (employment rates, time-to-hire, etc.)
Description of the co-design curricular model with companies
Evidence of alliance impact (reports, statistics, employer testimonials)
Winners receive the EASEC "Institution Connected with the Market" seal and are featured in the top-10 ranking.
Competency Leadership of the Year Award
Share your CV, portfolio, publications and evidence of impact. Any additional material relevant to the jury is welcome.
Updated CV
Portfolio of relevant projects or initiatives
Publications, articles or other reference materials
Evidence of impact: quantitative data, testimonials, prior recognition
Any other material considered relevant to the jury's evaluation
One winner and up to 3 finalists publicly recognised per edition.
Active category
EASEC Ranking in Competency Development
Submit an Excel file with participant data after formalising your candidacy.
Required files
Who Can Participate in the EASEC Awards?
The EASEC Awards are open to all institutions and professionals working in skills development and employability — whether or not they are current EASEC clients. Every applicant receives an evaluation report.
Institutional Applicants
Organisations investing in skills development and employability programmes.
- Università e Istituzioni di Istruzione Superiore
- Business School e Fornitori di Formazione Executive
- Vocational training centres and FP institutions
- Schools with competency-based programmes
- Corporate training organisations
Individual Professionals
Leaders and practitioners advancing skills development and employability.
- Directors of employability, quality or academic programmes
- Trainers, researchers and consultants in the competencies field
- Entrepreneurs building solutions for skills and employability
Benefits of Participating in the EASEC Awards
Participating in the EASEC Awards delivers value from the moment of application — not only for winners.
Visibilità Internazionale
Position your institution within a European network of organisations advancing skills and employability standards.
European Institutions Network
Attivo
ESCO · EQF · WEF Aligned
Verified
Public EASEC Ranking
Published
Annual Awards Ceremony
Valencia 2027
Independent Evaluation Report
Every applicant receives a detailed EASEC report — a data-verified assessment of your institution, programme or individual contribution.
Benchmarking Globale
Compare your initiatives with leading institutions across Europe and beyond using ESCO, EQF and WEF-aligned criteria.
Communication Assets
Finalists and winners receive verified badges, social media graphics and ready-to-publish content to amplify their recognition.
Published Ranking
Top 10 institutions per category are published in the official EASEC Ranking — a verifiable, public benchmark.
#1
Verified
#2
Verified
#3
Verified
How Submissions Are Evaluated
Every submission is evaluated through a structured, transparent process designed to identify initiatives with real, verifiable impact.
The evaluation method varies by category — from psychometric student assessments (Category 01) to programme audits against ESCO and EQF frameworks (Categories 02 and 03) to individual portfolio reviews (Category 04).
Strategia
92%
Chiarezza degli obiettivi e allineamento con le priorità istituzionali.
Implementazione
88%
Qualità ed efficacia della progettazione e dell'esecuzione del programma.
Evidenza
95%
Use of data, indicators and verified outcomes.
Innovazione
84%
Originalità e progresso negli approcci allo sviluppo o al riconoscimento delle competenze.
Impatto
91%
Risultati misurabili per i discenti, le istituzioni o le organizzazioni.
EASEC Evaluation Scorecard
Verified92
Strategia
88
Impl.
95
Evidenza
84
Innovazione
91
Impatto
Illustrative scorecard — fictional institution
Le candidature sono esaminate da un comitato internazionale di esperti in materia de istruzione, occupabilità e sviluppo delle competenze.
How to Apply for the EASEC Awards
The application is entirely online and structured in 4 steps. Supporting documentation is submitted after the candidacy has been formalised.
Choose Your Category
Select the category you wish to apply for. The evaluation method adapts automatically to your choice.
Complete the Form
Fill in the required institutional or professional information. No documentation is needed at this stage — you will receive specific instructions once your candidacy has been formalised.
Make the Payment
Apply your discount code if applicable and complete the online payment. Your candidacy is formalised at this point.
Candidacy Confirmation
You will receive a confirmation e-mail with detailed instructions on the documentation required for your category. You have 10 working days from confirmation to submit your materials.
EASEC Awards 2026 Timeline
Fase 1
Programme Launch
Global invitation to institutions and professionals to join the EASEC Awards 2026.
April 2026Fase 2
Application Submissions
Apply online and upload your supporting materials. Applications are open through 18 December 2026.
Apr – 18 Dec 2026Fase 3
Evaluation & Shortlist
An international expert panel reviews all applications and announces the shortlisted finalists.
From 19 Dec 2026Fase 4
Cerimonia di Premiazione
Winners are officially announced and celebrated in Valencia, Spain.
26 Jan 2027 · ValenciaFase 1
Programme Launch
Global invitation to institutions and professionals to join the EASEC Awards 2026.
April 2026Fase 2
Application Submissions
Apply online and upload your supporting materials. Applications are open through 18 December 2026.
Apr – 18 Dec 2026Fase 3
Evaluation & Shortlist
An international expert panel reviews all applications and announces the shortlisted finalists.
From 19 Dec 2026Fase 4
Cerimonia di Premiazione
Winners are officially announced and celebrated in Valencia, Spain.
26 Jan 2027 · ValenciaStandard Period Conditions
Your Journey to Data-Verified Recognition Starts Here
Take advantage of the standard conditions and secure your place in the EASEC Awards 2026.
Apply between 1 July and 31 October 2026 and access a 20% reduction on the application fee.
Standard period open until 31 October 2026. From 1 November, the regular fee applies.
All prices include access to the EASEC evaluation report regardless of final ranking position.
Candidatura Istituzionale
Categories 01 · 02 · 03
€800
€640
Discount code — Step 5 · Review & Payment
Candidatura Individuale
Category 04
€150
€120
Discount code — Step 5 · Review & Payment
Enter the EASEC Awards 2026
If your institution, programme or leadership contributes to advancing skills development and employability, the EASEC Awards offer the opportunity to have your impact independently verified and publicly recognised.
All institutions can apply, whether or not they are current EASEC clients. Every applicant receives an evaluation report.