Rich Skill Descriptors (RSDs)

Create, store, and share RSDs and RSD Collections with the openRSD open access library

Create, Store and Share Rich Skill Descriptors (RSD)

openRSD was released by Edalex in 2022 as a space to create, store and share rich skill descriptors (RSDs) and RSD collections. openRSD uses Edalex’s open source technology stack to create locally- and globally-relevant libraries of RSDs that are open to contributors and consumers around the world. Some of the tools available in openRSD include localisation, approval workflow, version control and other important functionality.

Watch the recording of our openRSD Launch Webinar to learn more about RSDs, hear a case study from the University of Melbourne and discover how organisations can access and contribute to openRSD.

What are rich skill descriptors (RSD)?

An RSD is a powerful little metadata package that structures skills data and adds context around a particular skill.

It provides a common definition of a skill and gives the context behind the skill, allowing interoperability in credentials
RSD metadata contains things such as skill statements, skill keywords, standards or certification alignments, intelligent labour market data and occupational data
Importantly, the metadata contained in an RSD is both human and machine readable, enabling its use by both people and platforms

"An international open skills infrastructure is critical to support the future of work and to building robust talent pipelines where all individuals can achieve their work and life goals."

Why is open access and interoperability important?

openRSD leverages over two decades of edTech development by the Edalex team in enabling the creation, discovery and sharing of content through its open source digital repository, openEQUELLA.

Using openRSD, anyone can implement their own RSD library and manage and share their collections. Organisations from around the world can launch RSDs quickly, contextualise to their local environment and internationalise by aligning to one or more taxonomies from around the world.

RSDs created using openRSD comply to the Rich Skill Descriptor Standards Implementation Recommendations. This allows RSDs to be published and shared with compatible tools such as the Open Skills Management Tool (OSMT). It also allows RSDs from other platforms to be copied and hosted for use within an individual institution’s openRSD Collection(s).

What can I do in openRSD?

Although openRSD is a standalone offering, the platform benefits from the advanced capabilites of openEQUELLA, with key functionality that includes:

the use of workflow, version control, multi-tenancy, harvesting, faceted searching and custom reporting
the flexibility to localise RSD fields to relevant taxonomies
in international contexts, RSDs can be aligned to multiple skills taxonomies from around the world, such as O*NET skills data in the US, the Australian Skills Classifications system, SFIA, or ESCO in Europe
storing RSDs in an open digital repository facilitates the tagging of content, and allows for a broader skills-focused (rather than course-focused) content management