Assistants

Competitions Under Pressure: Delays, Overload and Structural Challenges

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Recent developments in both internal and external competitions highlight growing pressure on the system and raise important questions about its capacity, reliability and fairness. 

While some progress has been made, particularly with the launch of the AD7 internal competition, many of the structural challenges previously identified remain unresolved. At the same time, it is important to underline that AST/SC colleagues still do not have access to AD competitions, meaning that the move towards inclusiveness remains partial and that significant gaps persist. 

Continue reading Competitions Under Pressure: Delays, Overload and Structural Challenges →

Training offer: EPSO AST3 in Communication – Exam exercises

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Our Training partner Yasemos Europeos, has a special  offer with a 10% discount rate for our members. The package contains: self-study exam packages for practising the different tests.  There are 2 package options available:  EXAM 1 + PRE-EXAM session (live online via ZOOM, link will be published in participants training platform profiles) EXAM 1 (only 1 mock exam for practice with NO pre-exam session).
Continue reading Training offer: EPSO AST3 in Communication – Exam exercises →

AST/SC – Forgotten in Delegation while the Commission does its own thing? 

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In a recent internal communication on the 2026 Delegation rotation exercise [*], the European Commission announced opportunities for AST and AD staff to take up posts in European External Action Service (EEAS) Delegations around the world. Yet, one function group was (again) clearly overlooked. AST/SC staff are not even mentioned there, you have to dig to find any mention of this function group. Continue reading AST/SC – Forgotten in Delegation while the Commission does its own thing?  →

Training offer: AST – Certification interview

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Generation 2004, in collaboration with Yasemos Europeos, is offering online trainings  to assist you in preparing for the Certification Interviews.   The training is in EN, the registrations are on a “first come first served” basis and there is a special rate for all colleagues who want to register.  Additionaly to the below training offer, here is a free video. Continue reading Training offer: AST – Certification interview →

Certification: Free conference

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**Update 02.10.2025: check our training offer for AST Certifiction interview (limited spots) *Update 30.09.2025 : Here are the presentation and the recording. The deadline for applications to the  certification process  of this year is Monday 29th  September at 23:59 (Brussels time).  For the Commission there will be a maximum of 50 AST 5 (step 2 and higher) colleagues who will have the chance to be selected to potentially join the AD function group after intensive training and examinations. Continue reading Certification: Free conference →

Training offer: EPSO AST3 in Communication

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*Update 10.09.2025, this EPSO competition is now closed to new applications.*

Our Training partner Yasemos Europeos, has a special  offer with a 20% discount rate for our members. The package contains: Study group for reasoning, MCQ and EUFTE tests for the EPSO competition on AST/157/25 Assistants (AST 3) in Communication.
 Continue reading Training offer: EPSO AST3 in Communication →

Free Webinar: Competition EPSO AST 3 Assistants (3 fields)

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Update 23.07.2025: here are the slides. Update 18.07.2025: here is the recording of today’s conference (the slides in ppt format will follow). Generation 2004, in collaboration with Yasemos Europeos, is offering for free and for all staff, an online free webinar to assist you in preparing for the EPSO competition – AST 3 Assistants (3 fields).  You will get tips for the application process and an analysis of the tests. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions after the presentation. The session will be in English.
 Continue reading Free Webinar: Competition EPSO AST 3 Assistants (3 fields) →

Conference: 12.06.2025 reclassification and promotion appeals, Generation 2004 is here to help

Administrators, Assistants, Contract Agents, Events, Newsletter-2025-06-16, Promotions, reclassification, Secretaries and clerks, Staff Categories, Temporary Agents Print This Post

***UPDATE: You can find the link to the recording and to the presentation here.***

The 2025 draft reclassification and promotion lists will be published in Sysper on Thursday 12 June.  There are now very limited options to influence whether your name is on the final lists when they are published mid-November. We have a lunchtime event planned to explain both what happens next and what those limited options are that are available to you if you find that your name is not on that list (and you believe that it should be). Please prepare for the event and start making notes for a potential appeal. Continue reading Conference: 12.06.2025 reclassification and promotion appeals, Generation 2004 is here to help →

Assistants (ASTs) FAQs

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*Update 23.09.2025: It’s now official: 50 AST/SCs are to have the (mis)fortune of doing an AST post without the corresponding AST promotion speed or career potential.  Check the Draft 2026 Commission budget: ’50 posts in the function group AST may be occupied by officials and temporary staff in the AST/SC function group to reflect the gradual phase-in of the AST/SC function group.’ (p. 955, footnote 1). While the Commission as a whole is set to lose 24 posts, the AST function group is to lose 121 (leaving 4398 permanent staff). No other function group is to decrease in size.*

*Update 26.08.2025 the updated internal competitions time estimates are available under ‘planning’: please note some will take place SOONER than originally stated: don’t miss your chance!*

Continue reading Assistants (ASTs) FAQs →

Secretaries and Clerks (AST/SC) FAQs

Assistants, Certification, FAQs, Newsletter-2025-02-28, Secretaries and clerks, Staff Regulations Reform, workplace bullying and harassment Print This Post

*Update 23.09.2025: It’s now official: 50 AST/SCs are to have the (mis)fortune of doing an AST post without the corresponding AST promotion speed or career potential.  Check the Draft 2026 Commission budget: ’50 posts in the function group AST may be occupied by officials and temporary staff in the AST/SC function group to reflect the gradual phase-in of the AST/SC function group.’ (p. 955, footnote 1). While the Commission as a whole is set to lose 24 posts, the AST function group is to lose 121 (leaving 4398 permanent staff). No other function group is to decrease in size.*

*Update 26.08.2025 the updated internal competitions time estimates are available under ‘planning’: please note some will take place SOONER than originally stated: don’t miss your chance!*

Original article: We will add the presentation from our February 2025 event here and below you’ll find an extended version of a frequently asked questions (FAQs) based on the questions asked there. Continue reading Secretaries and Clerks (AST/SC) FAQs →