HR Open Standards Announces Pre-Release of the First-Ever Skills Proficiency Data API Schema

Organizations invited to review, contribute, and shape an open, interoperable standard for skills proficiency data before finalization

HR Open Standards today announced the availability of a pre-release version of the Skills Proficiency Data API Schema, marking the first time an open, comprehensive standard for representing skills proficiency data has been made available for community review, contribution, and feedback.

Developed by the HR Open Skills Data Workgroup, this pre-release schema is designed to support interoperability across HCM, assessment, learning, talent, and skills intelligence platforms, enabling organizations to more consistently describe, exchange, and interpret skills proficiency information across systems.

The pre-release is intentionally open and collaborative, providing the HR and HR technology ecosystem with a unique opportunity to validate assumptions, test real-world use cases, and influence the final standard.

An Inclusive, Ecosystem-Aligned Approach

The Skills Proficiency Data API Schema has been designed to be encompassing and inclusive, aligning with and supporting existing, widely adopted standards and frameworks, including:

• Competency and skills models

• Open Badges Specification

• HR Open JEDx API

• The T3 Innovation Network (T3 Initiative)

• Credential Transparency Description Language (CTDL)

• Learning and Employment Records (LERs)

• Comprehensive Learning Record (CLR)

• Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL)

• IEEE Learning Technology Steering Committee (IEEE LTSC)

Rather than replacing these efforts, the schema is intended to complement and connect them, providing a shared foundation for skills proficiency data that can be used across diverse systems and use cases.

A Collaborative Effort Across the Standards and HR Tech Communities

The HR Open Skills Data Workgroup represents an ambitious, cross-industry collaboration, bringing together representatives from standards bodies supporting the frameworks above, along with thought leaders from the HR technology, learning, talent, and workforce intelligence sectors.

This collaborative approach ensures the schema reflects a broad range of perspectives—from technical architecture and data modeling to practical workforce and learning applications.

Invitation to Review, Pilot, and Provide Feedback

HR Open Standards is inviting:

• Employers and workforce leaders

• HCM, assessment, learning, talent, and skills intelligence platform providers

• Standards practitioners and data architects

• Learning and credentialing organizations

to review the pre-release Skills Proficiency Data API Schema, explore pilot use cases, and provide feedback that will directly inform the next iteration of the standard.

Incentives for participation include:

• Early insight into an emerging industry standard

• The opportunity to validate and shape an open, interoperable approach before finalization

• Influence on how skills proficiency data is represented and exchanged across the ecosystem

Call to Action

Organizations interested in reviewing the pre-release schema, contributing feedback, or becoming involved in the workgroup are encouraged to contact HR Open Standards to learn more about participation opportunities and next steps.