Preparatory Courses for EU Selection Competitions

The University Institute of European Studies, officially recognized as European Documentation Centres since 1952, has recently been included among the preparatory courses centres listed in EPSO (European Personnel Selection Office) website.

Starting from 2010, the new procedures managed by EPSO for the selection of European officials will enter into force.
There will be several and remarkable news, starting from the annual frequency of selection procedures for the recruiting of permanent staff positions (administrator, linguist and assistant), to the shift from knowledge-based competences to cross-cutting abilities and skills.

Moreover, the recent entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty will imply the knowledge of the most significant changes affecting the legal framework of the EU.
Therefore, the Institute intends to offer the necessary tools in order to successfully take part in this kind of competitions, and give participants the chance to deepen knowledge-based aspects of the EU, according to the importance of these aspects after the admission phase.

The Institute intends to launch a number of courses that will be provided according to the publication of notices of competition in the different fields.

The structure and methodology of each course will take into account the new features relating to each competition (administrators, linguists, assistants).
The part relating to the pre-selection phase (verbal and numerical reasoning, abstract reasoning and workplace-related behavior) is common to all competitions, whereas the part relating to assessment through practical tests will vary, according to the competition concerned.

In order to convey participants the theoretical and practical tools to cope with the selection procedures, courses will include classes, practical exercises, simulations and working group.
The course programme is divided in 2 modules :

• 1. the first module is common to all courses: preparation to numerical, verbal and abstract reasoning tests; assessment of situational and workplace-related behaviour; practical tests. This first part will essentially focus on the tests that candidates will have to sit for in the pre-selection phase, (taking place in the member States through computer-based tests);
• 2. the second module varies according to different  type of competition (ADMINITRATORS ASSISTANTS, SPECIALISTS): during the 3-days course participants will be prepared for the assessment of professional competences (in particular, how to write specific documents for each kind of position; practical exercise on working documents; case-studies and exercises concerning one of the most relevant  EU policies; practical exercises and group work; oral presentations)

A complementary linguistic module, mainly aimed at conveying a proper English language for EU law and politics, is foreseen in Autumn 2010. This module intends to provide a methodological approach to European English terminology through practical exercises, language tests and preparation of European documents and reports.

Teachers involved in the training project are highly qualified professionals, able to match training needs specific to every capacity and methodology taught in the course.
Among them: experts in human resources selection and in the preparation of verbal, numerical, situational and workplace-related behaviour tests; experts of the EU and of its recent legal developments; EU officials and experts of the most-debated EU policies; assistants with a solid methodology for the preparation for case studies, report drafting etc.,  and English linguists.

Courses are open to those interested in European selection competitions for the different categories.
The structure of the courses, short and intensive, have been designed with the objective to facilitate the participation of students and workers.
The course is also addressed to those who are willing to acquire or deepen knowledge of the EU, in particular the institutional and legal modifications introduced by the new Lisbon Treaty, or substantial and cross-cutting competences, necessary in order to successfully take cognitive and psychological tests or job interviews.

Working languages of the course are English and Italian.

For further information about programme, enrolment procedures, application form and fees see: eucompetitions.iuse.it

Applications will be accepted according to the "first-come first-served" policy, up to the foreseen maximum number of participants.

On the website it is possible to fill in the online application form or to download it in PDF format.

The launch of the course is subject to the reach of a minimum number of participants.

Fees will vary according to the different modules.

The next edition is scheduled from 21 to 25 March 2011 at the University Institute of European Studies, via Maria Vittoria 26, Torino

• MODULE A: 21-22 March 2011
  
• MODULE B: 23-25 March 2011
  

For details see on the website.

Istituto Universitario di Studi Europei
Via Maria Vittoria 26, 10123 – Torino (Italy)
Tel: (+39) 011.8394660
Fax: (+39) 011.8394664

E-mail: eucompetitions@iuse.it.
Web: eucompetitions.iuse.it