In 2010 the Institute re-entered in the cycle of methodological courses in preparation for European Union competitions. The courses are aimed at enhancing the preparation of candidates intending to enrol in the competitions organised by the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO). The course is particularly relevant in light of the modified competition procedures made by the EU in 2010.
IUSE has been added to the list of training centres registered on the EPSO (European Personnel Selection Office) site for preparation for competitions organised by the European Union (Preparatory Courses for EU Selection Competitions).
http://europa.eu/epso/apply/info_sessions/index_en.htm
These modified competition procedures have seen a shift in focus from verification of knowledge on the European Union to the establishment and selection of skills (situational, behavioural and professional competency).
Keeping this in mind, IUSE has decided to offer courses focused on the information required to participate in these types of competitions. The course incorporates study on the European Union in the context of the role the information plays in the admission tests, whilst adding an extra dimension to participants learning experience.
The courses are open to all potential candidates eligible for European Competitions and are held in English and Italian for the pre-selection stage. For the following stages the course is held in English as most of the trials are conducted in one of the three official languages.
The work sessions take a practical and less academic approach. In addition to a theoretical part, there are practical and computer based exercises.
The teachers are professional figures who incorporate the specific training needs and response methods required by the tests. These include specialised components for the preparation of the verbal-numerical, situational or behavioural tests. The case studies are prepared by personnel who have a sound understanding of the methodology.
The courses are divided into two parts:
- The first part is common to most of the courses. It is comprised of preparation for tests such as numerical reasoning, verbal and abstract, behavioural testing for everyday situations in the workplace and practical trials. This part focuses primarily on the competition that the candidates face in the pre selection phase (which takes place in the member states, through tests carried out using a computer)
- The second part varies depending on the type of competition
- Administrators (AD): the participants will be prepared for the assessment of professional skills. In particular, the course focuses on how to write documents specific to each position, practical exercises on working papers, case studies and exercises on some of the more important European Union policies, practical exercises and group work, oral presentations.
- Assistants (AST): candidates will be provided with the appropriate methodology to carry out the various tasks typically required of secretarial work. The tasks include: organisation and coordination of meetings, data and document processing, correspondence management, agendas and schedules, general administrative support, with a focus on document administration, presentation and verification of documents, secretarial level editing of project notes, letters and reports.
