The paper rises the question of how formal qualifications (certificates, curricula, etc.) in contrast to substantial concepts (knowledge, competencies, etc.) are, and can be included in approaches of anticipation or early recognition. The updating of employees competences according to the changing qualification requirements is situated within a market which reacts to signals in terms of certificates and occupational degrees. But within a dynamic economy qualifications are developing and changing so fast that it is impossible to identify them according to certificates and formal qualifications. Within this context competences are gaining importance because they are linked to the more dynamic perspective of individuals and their experiences and skills acquired in the work. The paper uses the concept of exchange value and utility value of competences (see Nieuwenhuis 2005) in order to describe the dynamics between stability and change aspects of qualifications and their linkages to the labour market. The institutional requirements and exchange processes on the labour market are based on the exchange value of competences. They imply the stability of qualifications as a value. The utility value describes the work tasks and requirements and how they are accomplished. Based on these conceptions the paper aims to analyse different existing views and methods, communication frameworks and actors/institutions on how anticipation might be achieved.