The Minister for Europe is encouraging Northern Ireland students to fulfil their global potential and consider a career in the EU Civil Service.
David Lidington, speaking recently in Belfast at an event in Queen’s University, gave students an insight into what it’s like to work in Brussels. He also explained why the UK Government is strongly encouraging British students and professionals to apply.
Mr Lidington said: “I am very pleased to have this opportunity to encourage
students in Northern Ireland to consider a career in the EU Civil Service.
“The EU needs outstanding generalist civil servants from a wide variety of academic backgrounds, as well as specialists such as lawyers, economists, auditors, interpreters and statisticians.
“These are careers packed from the outset with interesting, challenging work that really makes a difference: shaping the policies, creating the legislation and negotiating the solutions which make the headlines across Europe every day.”
Huw Davies, a graduate from Cardiff University who now works in the EU Civil Service in Brussels, also addressed students about what it’s like to work in this field and what an EU Career has to offer.
As head of the communications team at the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) he said:
“It‘s very important that British students and graduates are informed about the varied and challenging opportunities available in the EU Civil Service.”
“Every time I speak to people around the UK they are interested and want to know more. I’m very glad to have this opportunity to speak to students about the fantastic prospects in this field of work.
“In Brussels the Celtic community enjoys an excellent reputation, professionally and socially, so it would be great to attract even more Northern Irish people to work at the heart of Europe.”
During his visit to the province, Mr Lidington will also met First Peter Robinson MLA, and Junior Minister, Martina Anderson MLA, as well as representatives from local businesses during a round-table discussion hosted by Arlene Foster, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment in association with InvestNI.
In the table for discussions were the issues faced by Northern Ireland businesses in relation to doing business in the EU.
A high priority for the UK government is to increase British staff working in EU Civil Service. The UK has 12% of the EU’s population but only makes up 4.8% of EU staff and more than 40% of the UK nationals in the EU institutions will retire in the next 10 years, according to forecasts.
The UK is relatively well-represented at senior grades, but it is understood this will not be sustainable in the long term since at EU policy entry level, only 1.8% staff are UK nationals.
Interest in EU careers has been waning, according to statistics. In the 2010 Recruitment Selection, the UK produced only 1.5% of applicants (750 out of 50,000 applications). This was the lowest of all the member states.