By Henrietta Billings - 27th May 2004
EU capitals on Friday gave the go-ahead for a standardised qualifications booklet designed to make it easier for workers to find jobs throughout Europe.
Irish education minister Noel Dempsey welcomed the agreement as a step towards meeting Europe's "Lisbon goals" of becoming the world's most competitive economy by 2010.
"It's all about facilitating inter-mobility for students and workers," he told reporters.
"Today's agreement was a priority for the Irish presidency and constitutes a concrete step towards achieving the Lisbon goals."
The so-called "Europass" booklet, will contain a standard European CV, a list of linguistic qualifications, vocational training and higher education certificates.
The aim is to have one single document, in an easy to read format that will be accepted by employers throughout Europe.
However, the booklet, which will be introduced by 2005 on a voluntary basis, will not provide any comparison or explanation of national qualifications.
Holders of the Europass will have to rely on EU employers recognising the document for it to affect their job prospects.
The Europass will have a small initial budget of €2 million, to be used to establish national agencies in each country to provide information about the system to schools, trade unions, businesses and workers.
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