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Minister for Europe David Lidington encourages British students to consider a career in the EU Civil Service.

Minister for Europe David Lidington will be speaking at Belfast’s Queen’s University yesterday to encourage British students to consider a career in the EU Civil Service.

The Minister will give students an insight into what it’s like to work in Brussels and explain why the UK Government is strongly encouraging British students and professionals to apply.

The UK is currently severely under-represented in the EU Institutions. The UK has 12% of the EU’s population but only makes up 4.8% of EU staff. 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.

Huw Davies, a graduate from Cardiff University who now works in the EU Civil Service in Brussels, will also speak to students about what it’s like to work in this field and what an EU Career has to offer.  

David Lidington said ahead of his visit:

“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 who heads up the Communications Team at the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) 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 meet First Minister for Northern Ireland, The Right Hon Peter Robinson MLA, and Junior Minister, Martina Anderson MLA, who will be representing the Office of the Deputy First Minister.  Later in the day, Mr Lidington and representatives from local businesses will attend a round-table discussion hosted by Arlene Foster MLA, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment in association with InvestNI. They will discuss issues faced by Northern Ireland businesses in relation to doing business in the EU.

Further information

Britain and the EU
European Personnel Selection Office
Invest NI