EPSO Update: Board of Directors Meeting

EU Training

EPSO Board of Directors EPSO selection process meeting

EPSO's Board of Directors met on 31 January to discuss issues and make decisions about changes to be implemented. We expect the big, official announcement will only happen next week, at least we're hoping it will. Although there has been no official announcement yet, we do know a couple of things for sure, as follows...

EU KNOWLEDGE TEST WILL BECOME STANDARD

"VERY LIKELY"

This was announced publicly by one of EPSO's Head of Unit, via video posted both on Twitter and LinkedIn. The main points of the message were:

  • The EU Knowledge Test will 'most likely' be implemented for the Generalist competition planned to be released in September 2023.
  • The sources used to create the EU knowledge test will be published directly on the EPSO website for public access.

He did say he does not know for sure whether the EU Knowledge Test will be used for the Generalist competition or not, but he repeatedly emphasized that it was "very likely".

 

NEW SELECTION PROCESS MODEL APPROVED

From our trusted sources we know that the new selection process has been approved, we just don't know what that entails. But, this is very exciting! This means that hopefully by next week we will know what the new EPSO system will look like. In July of last year Jan De Sutter wrote a comprehensive overview about the new EPSO exam system, based on the plans for a complete overhaul of the Commission’s HR strategy, together with the 'Greening of the Commission' mandate, as initiated by the Director General for Human Resources and Security of the Commission.

In this mandate these were the points set forward regarding EPSO, HR and recruitment:

Faster and better recruitment:

  • Simplified and shortened EPSO competitions.
  • Simplification of the selection process for temporary and contract agents.

More career opportunities inside the organisation:

  • Regular internal competitions.
  • Extend the maximum duration of contracts.
  • Establish the Junior Professional Programme on a lasting basis.

Based on these mandates a 5-year plan was put into place. Launching a new competition model is, according to the plan, Year (phase) 3.

EPSO also put forward a proposal to its Management Board on a new competency framework. The differences between the existing and the new competency framework are analysed in the eBook “The New EPSO Competency Framework – Old Wine in a New Bottle”, available as a free download.

 

WATCH THIS SPACE...

Make sure to check back next week - as soon as EPSO announces the new competition model we will make sure to share all the details.

EU Training will also host a live webinar, presented by András Baneth, in the next month or so, to do analyse and break down the new selection process for EPSO candidates. Stay tuned!