| Abstract: The acceleration of digital transformation and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence are generating structural changes in the organization of work, the skills required by organizations, and the ways individuals engage in lifelong learning. In this context, higher education institutions face the challenge of developing mechanisms that strengthen employability and support continuous skill development in a dynamic and technologically driven labor market. In Costa Rica, several studies have identified a gap between the competencies developed within the education system and the skills demanded by the labor market, particularly in areas related to digital competencies, critical thinking, complex problem-solving, and adaptability to technological environments.
In response to this context, this research project proposes to analyze the design and implementation of a Competency Passport, a strategy aimed at registering, accumulating, and making visible the skills acquired by individuals throughout their academic and professional trajectories through a digital system based on microcredentials, learning evidence, and project portfolios. The main objective of the study is to examine the potential of this instrument as a mechanism to strengthen augmented employability, entrepreneurship, and the articulation between higher education and the labor market.
Methodologically, the research will adopt a mixed-method approach that integrates qualitative and quantitative techniques. The study includes a review of specialized literature, a diagnosis of skill gaps through surveys and interviews with key actors from the education system and the productive sector, as well as the conceptual design of the Competency Passport model and its validation with experts. The expected results will contribute to the development of strategic guidelines for implementing an institutional system focused on the cumulative certification of competencies and the strengthening of employability in con |