Naomi Oldenburg
Senior Manager at the National Europass Centre for Ireland in Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)
If you’re looking for a job or training opportunities in Europe, it may not be obvious where to start. However, there are online tools that can help with the search and application process.
Studying or working overseas can be an exciting and enriching experience, says Naomi Oldenburg. And she should know: she’s done it herself.
“Learning or working abroad teaches you flexibility, self-reliance and adaptability,” notes Oldenburg, Senior Manager at the National Europass Centre for Ireland in Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). “It takes you out of your comfort zone and gives you the chance to learn new skills, meet new people, make great connections and have new adventures.”
Challenges of studying or working abroad
Finding lifelong learning, upskilling, reskilling, apprenticeship or job opportunities in unfamiliar countries isn’t always easy. Presenting your qualifications and experience in the best way to international employers or educational institutions may not be obvious, either — particularly when you’re in one location, and they’re in another.
Europass — a free set of online tools developed by the European Commission — aims to make it easier to manage learning and career development in Europe. At its heart, it’s a search facility that helps users find courses and employment in more than 30 countries.
Learning or working abroad teaches you flexibility, self-reliance and adaptability
Presenting qualifications and experience clearly and concisely
Users start by creating a profile featuring their qualifications, languages, work and/or volunteering experiences and skills, etc. They can also write customised CVs and cover letters; see if their qualifications match the qualifications standards of other countries; study trends reports to understand the skills and jobs that are in demand in different locations; and complete a Digital Skills Assessment to learn more about their digital competencies.
Meanwhile, the platform’s Certificate Supplement helps employers and educational institutions understand users’ vocational qualifications. Its Diploma Supplement provides information on an applicant’s personal achievements, including course credits and grades. Additionally, its Mobility document describes the skills developed through mobility experiences.
“All information — CVs, cover letters, digital credentials, qualifications and different applications — is stored in a user’s personal folder,” says Oldenburg. “It’s a one-stop shop that makes the whole process easier.”
