Europass Ireland participates at FAS Opportunities 2006

As part of ongoing initiatives to promote Europass in Ireland, the National Europass Centre exhibited at Opportunities 2006- Europe’s largest education, careers and skills showcase that took place in Croke Park , Dublin over the weekend Feb 24-27.

This annual event managed and organised by FAS (Irish National Training and Employment Authority) , draws together leading employers, education organisations and skills sectors under one roof and provides valuable information for all ages regarding career choices and options.

As 2006 has been designated as ‘European Year of Workers Mobility’ this year’s event included a ‘European Mobility Village’ to provide information on working and living throughout the EU as well as in Ireland.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin T.D. officially opened the event. During the opening speech he said

“As you may already know, this is the European Year of Workers Mobility. This aims to raise the awareness and understanding of the benefits of working abroad or in a new occupation. As part of this campaign to encourage greater worker mobility throughout Europe, the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland is launching Europass at FÁS Opportunities 2006. This is a new initiative that advances the mutual recognition of qualifications and facilitates the mobility of workers throughout the European Union.

In that regard, it is timely that this exhibition also houses a European Mobility Village. There job seekers can obtain information on living and working in other member States, particularly in the Britain, France and Germany. Last year an estimated 17,000 people left this country for work experience or other reasons. It is probable that most of them will return.”

Europass exhibited in the European Mobility Village alongside EURES (Employment Services) from Ireland, the UK, Germany and France as well as the European Commission Representation in Ireland

At a lunch reception attended by representatives of colleges and universities, social partners, employers groups and key organisations involved in the initiative, Claire Byrne, Director of Corporate Affairs, National Qualifications Authority of Ireland, said:

“Our overall aim is to inform workers, learners, employers and all parties that can benefit from this initiative. The Europass portfolio and individual documents will become increasingly well known and used throughout Europe and it is important for Irish employers and educators as well as workers and students to become familiar with them.”

Europass is also celebrating its first birthday. The initiative was launched in Luxembourg a year ago and since then, the Europass Portal has recorded over 2 million visits and over 320,000 Europass CVs have been generated on line.