Good news for modern language students

25 October 2010

Drs Peter Wagstaff and Renate Rechtien from the Department of Politics, Languages & International Studies (PoLIS) together with Diane Hay, Head of Careers, were invited to attend a presentation and debate at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office on Monday 18 October. Discussions focused on the recruitment of UK graduates to the institutions of the European Union.

William Hague, Foreign Secretary, opened the event by emphasising the importance of increasing British influence in Brussels, which is a particular goal of the Foreign Office over the current Parliament.

However, he reported that UK citizens currently occupy a mere 1.4% of posts in the European institutions (and it is claimed this figure will fall dramatically over the next few years as many current employees are approaching retirement). Our level of representation is the lowest of all the member states and the Government has therefore recognised that there is an urgent need for a UK-based recruitment drive.

The meeting also heard speeches from Minister for Europe David Lidington, Permanent Secretary at the FCO Simon Fraser, and presentations from four senior EU staff, including the Head of the European Personnel & Selection Office and the Head of the EU Commission Media Relations in the UK.

The clear message from the panel of speakers was that EU institutions offer exciting and varied career patterns, and that UK graduates in modern languages and related disciplines should seize those opportunities.

There was an equally clear message, in response to the panel, that the EU needs to do more to spread the word about career opportunities, and that the UK Government needs to produce a long-term strategy to support and encourage foreign language learning and teaching in both the Secondary and Higher Education sectors.

Peter Wagstaff said: “In the course of the event it was gratifying to hear unprompted positive comments from a variety of sources about the high reputation of Bath’s undergraduate and postgraduate language degree programmes, and about the ubiquity of Bath-trained interpreters and translators in the various EU institutions. This is clearly one area where we are leading the field.”

Diane Hay added: “It is very refreshing to hear that the application process has been totally refreshed and modernised, and is the best news on public sector employment this year.

“Until now, the process of getting a permanent job in the institutions of the EU often seemed impenetrable and archaic; it took an average of two and a half years from initial application to taking up a post, and the average age to date of new appointees is 37. This has been very off-putting for students.

“Now, for the first time, students will be able to apply prior to graduation, and the dreaded test of EU knowledge has been replaced by a skills-based framework.”

There will be annual recruitment starting in March for graduate generalist administrators, followed in June/July by advertising of specialist posts.

There are additional ways of getting into the EU institutions, including doing a temporary “ stage” or via the European Stream of the home Civil Service Fast Stream.

There is more information on the EU Careers website and the Careers Advisory Service can advise students, and help with the application process.