Overview

The Skills Passport is a regional initiative to enable the mutual recognition of occupational skills certifications among countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. The initiative represents a regional mechanism through which skills certifications issued in one participating country can be verified and recognized in another using verifiable digital credentials.

The Skills Passport is designed as a progressive and multilateral mechanism involving governments, vocational education and training institutions, employers, and worker organizations. Thirteen countries have participated in its development: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, the Dominican Republic, and Uruguay.

The participating countries signed an agreement establishing the regional mechanism in August 2025. In June 2026, representatives advanced implementation guidelines and technical arrangements, with the mechanism to become operational in November 2026.

Background

The Skills Passport was developed to address barriers faced when occupational competencies acquired and certified in one country are not readily recognized in another. This is particularly important for migrant workers, refugees, asylum seekers, returning migrants, and others moving among countries in the region.

The initiative builds on regional cooperation in skills certification and incorporates experience from the Pacific Alliance. Its broader objectives include strengthening national vocational training and certification systems, facilitating safe and orderly labor mobility, improving workers' access to employment, and helping employers identify verified skills across national borders.

Partners

• Led by the International Labour Organization's Inter-American Centre for Knowledge Development in Vocational Training and its Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean
• Participating vocational training institutions, governments, employer organizations, and worker organizations form the tripartite structure supporting development of the mechanism.

Funders

• Lazos, funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency
• Integramos, funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
• Support from the Inter-American Development Bank and the Andean Community

Resources

Latin America and the Caribbean Moves Closer to Mutual Recognition of Skills Certifications — International Labour Organization

Skills Passport: Regional Mechanism for Mutual Recognition of Labour Competency Certifications — International Labour Organization

Skills Passport: Countries Commit to Advancing Safe Labour Mobility — International Labour Organization