Local Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, Minister for European Affairs, has urged young people and graduates from Athlone and wider Westmeath to consider the varied job opportunities available across the EU.
Minister Burke has highlighted his Department’s strategy ‘A Career for EU’ which is aimed at increasing Irish representation in the European Union’s Institutions and Agencies. The strategy aims to significantly increase the numbers of Irish officials in both permanent and temporary positions within the EU Institutions, to increase the number of Irish people applying for jobs in the EU, while improving awareness of EU careers in Ireland across all sectors. It also includes targeted supports to Irish candidates who are preparing for an EU jobs competition.
“I know before I was in this role, I wasn’t aware of the abundance of jobs that are available across the EU and I know many students will not be either. While we need to keep our talent here in Ireland, many of these jobs include temporary stints in various institutions in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg and our graduates then return home with an improved CV and more opportunities for career progression at home. Students here are educated to the highest global standards and are highly sought after in these EU competitions.
“Some of the jobs available include legal specialists, data analysts, research posts, linguists, pharmacists and animal welfare officers to name but a few with more information to be found at www.dfa.ie/eujobs
“It’s also important for Ireland to have our citizens and our people serving in the EU. By doing so, we will remain at the heart of Europe, shaping the future of our shared Union and with Irish positions and values being represented.
“A Career for EU” comes at a time where many senior Irish officials will soon retire. While at present Ireland is adequately represented across the EU institutions’ staffing body, it has fewer officials at the entry and mid-management levels than should otherwise be the case,” Deputy Burke said.
Minister Burke recently attended the College of Europe Alumni event, where he met Therese Lynch a graduate of the College of Europe and a native of Westmeath. Therese worked in Brussels for a number of years and has now returned to Ireland where she works at Rethink Ireland.
“It was lovely to meet Therese and hear of her experience studying in Brussels, working over there and now returning back home. We have local graduates from Westmeath represented at the highest level of business and academia at home and abroad, and we need to make sure this continues and that we continue to benefit from the leadership they provide,” Deputy Burke concluded.
