Key dates next exercice 2008/2009

• Participation in Certification
• Aim of programme
• Format
• Languages
• Contact

Who can participate in Certification?

Candidates for certification are selected by their respective institution or agency/office. The Staff Regulations state that an AST must be in at least grade 5 to be eligible to apply to participate. They also state that candidates are to be selected on the basis of their potential, as demonstrated by their appraisal reports and their level of education and training. The needs of the services may also be taken into account (e.g. experience or skills in particular priority areas).

Each institution lays down its own detailed implementing rules about how the selection criteria are to be applied and about the practical organisation of the process.

Candidates selected for Certification must follow the EAS training programme and pass a series of examinations in order to be able to apply for jobs as administrators.

What is the aim of the training programme?

The aim of the training programme is to offer candidates the opportunity to acquire the skills necessary to become an effective administrator. These include an ability to analyse and solve problems, thinking creatively, writing and speaking effectively, negotiating successfully, organising themselves efficiently and developing teamwork, and maximising colleagues' potential.

What format does the training take?

The training programme will last around 40 days. This is broken down into two blocks of course-based training and 10 days of individual study/assignments in between. Attendance is compulsory for all parts of the training, the only exception being duly substantiated medical grounds or special leave for family reasons. The training programme will be run in Brussels and in Luxembourg. Candidates, who have a place of work elsewhere, will generally follow the training in Brussels, but may choose to do so in Luxembourg.

For more information on key dates for the 2007/08 Certification procedure, click here.

In which language is the training taken?

The training programme and examinations will be in English and French. To avoid any discrimination on linguistic grounds, no one will be allowed to follow the programme in their main language.

For the purposes of establishing in which language candidates are entitled to follow the certification training programme and sit the examinations, reference will be made to the language they themselves indicated as being their main language in the application form they completed when applying to join the EU institutions.

Candidates whose main language is shown as French are obliged to follow the training programme and sit the examinations in English. Candidates whose main language is shown as English are obliged to follow the training programme and sit the examinations in French. All other candidates can choose between English and French.

On the basis of experience so far, it is important that candidates are aware that they will need a good understanding of, and written and oral ability in, the language they will be using for the training programme and the examinations. It is recommended that they should be at least at the level of B2 in the Council of Europe Language Portfolio:

http://www.coe.int/T/DG4/Portfolio/?L=E&M=/main_pages/welcome.html

For the description of the different competencies, click here.

Who can you contact to get more information?

For any questions about the training programme, please use our functional mailbox epso-eusa-certification@ec.europa.eu.