On Wednesday 14 March MEPs adopted plans to update the digital version of the Europass system to make it easier to use.

Europass has been used by more than 100 million people since 2005, but it was too complicated, said German EPP member Thomas Mann, one of the MEPs responsible for steering the plans through Parliament.

What is Europass?

Europass establishes a transparent framework for professional documents such as CVs and standardises them so that people's skills and competences can be used and understood in any EU country. That makes it easier for millions of Europeans to move around Europe for work, study and volunteering every year.

What will change?

The main aim is to make Europass more accessible, including to people with a disability. MEPs want technical adjustments to the platform to make this possible.

Until now the Europass portfolio has consisted of five documents: a CV, a language passport, a certificate section, a diploma section and a mobility document. The idea is to add a new tool - the e-portfolio - which would gather all the information about a person in one place.

“It is an electronic briefcase, where you have all you need in one place,” said Bulgarian EPP member Svetoslav Malinov, the other MEP responsible for steering the plans through Parliament.

The recruitment process will also be made easier thanks to a data system that makes the recognition of skills and qualifications more transparent across the EU.

In addition care will be taken to safeguard people's personal data.

Next steps

The plans will also need to be approved by the Council before they can enter into force.