Yes to professional mobility in Europe!

The EP Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee today adopted, with a large majority, a Report on the revision of the Directive on the recognition of professional qualifications in Europe.

"I welcome this vote which promotes professional mobility in Europe and aims to simplify the often too long and bureaucratic procedures", said Constance Le Grip MEP, EPP Group Spokesperson on the dossier. "This is another step towards the creation of a true European market for employment, starting with the youngest to whom freedom of movement and of establishment are precious goods", she said .

"This very important proposal was identified by Commissioner Michel Barnier in the Single Market Act as one of the twelve levies for growth in Europe. In this regard, we fully support this targeted modernisation of existing recognition provisions. We also welcome the new tools introduced in the Directive such as the European professional card, which is a true innovation of the revision. We also welcome the introduction of a 'partial access mechanism' which will allow a worker to have access to part of the field of activity covered by his/her profession in another state than the state of origin."

"We must also work towards a more secured professional mobility, giving guarantees to European citizens, consumers or patients, while ensuring a greater legal security to professionals", she said.

"As a Member of the EP Youth Intergroup, and in times when youth unemployment has reached 20%, I am particularly happy to seize this opportunity to push forward the question of traineeships and professional training at legislative level for more recognition and quality."

"I am proud to have been part of the elaboration of this modernised text which covers more than 800 regulated professions, and which is a response to our political family's ambitions for a Single Market which is ambitious, protective, and more and more integrated", Constance Le Grip concluded.

(Translation from the original French)