Data Platforms

IMCA has published its Principles for Data Platforms for Work and Skills (IMCA C019), to support its members in making the transition to recording skills, competences, and work experiences in online or digital formats.

The principles cover:

• Data collected
• Identity and trust
• Interoperability and data portability
• Data storage and availability
• Security, privacy and data protection
• Data ownership and analysis

This is an emerging market, so this initial document is a set of principles against which data platforms can be assessed in broad terms. It is intended to further develop the principles with technical information, such as standardised data exchange formats, in a future revision. Stakeholders are invited to provide feedback and to subscribe for updates on future participation opportunities.

In response to industry requests, IMCA has also developed an interim approval scheme for interested platform developers/providers who wish to demonstrate their alignment with the principles.

The following companies are currently approved following assessment of their ability to comply with the principles set out in IMCA C019. IMCA has assessed the capabilities of the above platforms and providers, but they operate independently of IMCA and are solely responsible for the provision of their services.

The use of digital logbooks offers several potential benefits to our industry and those who work in it. However, as with all emerging technologies, individual users should take care to ensure they are familiar with (and use) backup and export options to ensure future availability of their work and skills data.