The European Network for Lifelong Competence Development is an Integrated Project funded by the EU. Its goal is to establish an innovative technical and organizational infrastructure using open-source, standards-based technology to support lifelong competence development. In this paper the TENCompetence approach to competence development in lifelong learning is described, and the challenges which this presents users are outlined. A solution is proposed through provision of a service oriented architecture that enables users to integrate and carry out their competence development activities. Users interact with the system using the Personal Competence Manager which supports users in managing their competence development.