Europass is an EU initiative to help people make their skills, and qualifications clearly understood throughout Europe. Europass brings together documents that have been developed at European level to facilitate the movement of both learners and workers throughout Europe.
These documents are
- Europass CV
- Europass Language Passport
- Europass Mobility Document
- Europass Certificate Supplement
- Europass Diploma Supplement (described in detail below).
The 5 documents are collectively referred to as the Europass Portfolio.
People can use Europass documents when they are seeking jobs and when they wish to enter education and training programmes. The documents are especially helpful when people move between countries to work because they make it easier for employers to understand the qualifications and competences of job seekers from other EU Member States. Europass also helps education, training and guidance practitioners to advise people about the most suitable learning paths and opportunities.
Europass portfolio
Europass CV is a standard CV format you can use to detail your qualifications and skills in a straightforward and understandable manner. The Europass CV can be completed online at the Europass portal.
Europass Language Passport allows you to describe and detail your language skills and competences. It is a self-assessment document and allows the user to detail their ability to understand, speak and write a language. The Europass Language Passport can be completed online at the Europass portal.
Europass Mobility is a personal document, which is used to record an organised period of time (a mobility experience) that a person spends in another European country for the purpose of learning or training. This might include a work placement in a company or an academic term as part of an exchange programme.
The mobility experience is monitored by two partner organisations, the first in the country of origin and the second in the host country. Both partners agree on the purpose, content and duration of the experience and a mentor is identified in the host country. The partners can be universities, schools, training centres, companies and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). You obtain the Europass Mobility by contacting the organisation sending you abroad and asking them to contact the National Europass Centre.
Europass Certificate Supplement provides extra information about vocational education and training awards. It supplements the original certificate, making it more easily understood, especially by employers or institutions outside the issuing country.
Europass Diploma Supplement is issued to graduates of higher educations institutions along with their degree or diploma. It helps to ensure that higher education qualifications are more easily understood, especially outside the country where they were awarded.
Rates
There is no charge for the Europass document and application is free of charge. However, there is also no funding available under this programme towards the costs of training abroad. EU funding is available for mobility programmes through Socrates and Leonardo da Vinci and you should talk to Leargas or the Higher Education Authority about the possibility of grant aid from these programmes.
How to apply
The National Europass Centres are the first point of contact for any person or organisation interested in using or learning more about Europass. The National Qualifications Authority of Ireland is the designated National Europass Centre in Ireland.
Where to apply
Irish National Europass Centre
26-27 Denzille Lane
Dublin 1
Tel:(01) 905 8100
Homepage: http://www.europass.ie/
Information provided by citizens Information Board © reproduced under Licence
Distance Learning and Online Courses are offered in a number of different formats, these include correspondence courses (by post), online via computer or a combination of online and classroom instruction (blended learning).. View 
Further Education and PLCs (Post Leaving Cert Courses) have become a popular alternative to the CAO system here in Ireland. PLC Courses are validated by QQI (Quality & Qualifications Ireland) at levels 5 & 6 of the NFQ.. View 
Continuous Professional Development (CPD) helps to keep job skills and professional knowledge up to date and ensures the standard of registrations & qualifications are maintained.. View 
Evening courses and part time learning options are a great way to enhance a CV, to socialise and make friends, as well as learn something completely new. There are an abundance of night courses and evening classes available.. View