*Update 09.04.2024 we have received a response to our note below from HR: the own-initiative training budget is very limited but special leave might still be available as a contribution to your OIT. Please use all your options!*
Original article: If you work for the Commission and you would like to keep up with developments in your area of expertise, or to acquire new skills to help you in your work, you are in for an unpleasant surprise. Up until recently, the Commission would contribute to the fees of a successful course, making it easier to take the decision to acquire university or other qualifications later in your career – especially for colleagues at the lower end of the pay scales.
This is because, according to the Commission itself,
[t]he Commission depends on the expertise of its staff to achieve its goals. It is an organisation of knowledge workers. […] We need to respond to the constant change in the economic and political environment and in the resulting policy priorities of the Commission. Staff will not do the same job, in the same way, throughout their careers. The work changes and so must we. With recruitment reduced, the Institution’s development depends on the capacity of its current staff to learn. In this context, the Learning and Development strategy is a key component of talent management in the Commission. The Commission should set a good example and be among the world’s best public administrations for learning and development. Effective support for learning and development will also help us to be an attractive employer. (Communication on the Learning and Development Strategy of the European Commission, C(2016) 3829 final)
To implement this strategy, the Commission issued a decision on training on the own initiative of the member of staff (C(2016) 3855 final); in which financial support may be provided to members of staff undertaking training on their own initiative (OIT)[*], provided, among other things, that the training is relevant to the staff member’s duties and to their career development in the Commission.
However, if you are considering taking up OIT this year, you will be informed that
[g]iven the overall reduction of general budget for L&D activities, there are no more funds available to cover partial reimbursement of own initiative training in 2024.
This unavailability of funds means own-initiative training is no longer supported, a development that is diametrically opposite to the current priorities of the Commission. Reskilling and upskilling are crucial on an EU-level. 2023 was declared the European Year of Skills, and various EU initiatives were put forward to offer support in this area. At the same time, loss of domain competence is marked as an issue for various DGs of the Commission itself, and the need to retain it is stressed, especially in view of our constantly-shrinking human capital. In-house training is often too short or not technical enough, and often cannot replace outside training, especially in the age of accelerated change, artificial intelligence (AI) and the increasing complexity of domain-specific knowledge.
What’s more, if you are an expert in an area, or if you would like to change course in your career, you are probably in a better position to know yourself what kind of training you need.
Against this backdrop, Generation 2004 sent a note to inquire as to why funds were not made available for OIT this year, to ask whether this lack of funds consistent with the corresponding Commission Strategy, as well as the new Human Resources Strategy, and the overall Commission’s approach to the acquisition of new skills. We urge DG HR to explore ways to remedy this issue, which will surely impact the development and possibly the career mobility of staff.
It’s all about the money: it’s not just ‘use it or lose it’. No matter the savings made, there is a continual push to cut costs further, regardless.
Generation 2004 will follow the matter closely and keep you informed of any developments to this issue.
If you appreciate our work, please consider becoming a member of Generation 2004
As always, if you have questions, please feel free to contact us.
—————————————-
[*] Its counterpart is service-interest training (SIT) which is reimbursed at 100%.
