1. Klik om het opmaakprofiel van de modelondertitel te bewerken Living and Working in Belgium Torino 09-10/10/2009 2009 Annie Vanseveren, Eures Advisor Gent (B) annie.vanseveren@vdab.be

2. Belgium… the of Europe

3. Belgium: Some Facts  A federal state 32.545 km2 (Kingdom)  Population: +/-10.600.000 inhabitants  A multicultural society (> 8% of residents are foreign nationals)  Brussels is the capital: officially recognised as the capital of Europe and the home of the key political and decision-making institutions of the EU  3 Communities: Flemish, French and German (each with own political institutions and administration)  3 Regions: Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels-Capital Region  3 Official languages: Dutch, French and German

4. Brussels Languages: Dutch, French, German Population: 10.584.534 Wallonia Flanders 1.031.215 6.117.440 3.435.879

5. MAIN TOWNS

6. Typical Belgian

7. Regional Employment Services VDAB www.vdab.be FOREM www.leforem.be ACTIR IS www.actiris.b e AD G www.ad g.be

8. Unemployment Rates *  E.E.A.: 9,6%  Belgium: 11,2% 467.781 **  Brussels Region: 20,6% 78.230  Flanders: 7,43% 176.660  Wallonia: 15,8% 212.891 (10.2009 Eurostat – RVA/ONEM 08.2009 ) (august 2008: 428.280)  Shortage of qualified workers  Surplus of unqualified workers * % of active population ** compensated unemployed persons

9. The Belgian Labour Market (1)  Most relevant sectors  Services 72 %  Industry 26.3%  Agriculture 1.7%  Major (exporting) industries - Chemical sector - Car assembly - Metallurgical industry  Number of Bankcrupties: 10.000 2009 (sectors: horeca, construction, retail trade, transport)

10. The Belgian Labour Market (2)  Active population: - Active (working) population: 4.200.000 - Employment rate = 61,8%  Average Minimum Wage: October 2008 21 y ears 1.387,49 Euro gross/month 21,5 years 1.424,31 “ 22 years 1.440,67 “ (Ref. sdworx)

11. Some Characteristics  Difference in contracts “labourers/workers” and “employees” !!  Different languages in Belgium (Dutch, French, German)  Regulation of annual vacation days (based on prestations of the previous year)

12. Labour Shortages (1) The professions suffering from a labour shortage vary from region to region Most wanted:  Engineers  Business consultants/Project leaders  Nurses, geriatric helpers…  IT- Specialists  Plumbers / Welders  Truck drivers Licence C/E  Technicians (electricians, mechanics….)

13. Labour Shortages (2) The main sectors suffering from a labour shortage  Public Transport (train, tram, bus)  Sales and Distribution  Non Profit (health care)  Construction  Computer & Technology  Energy  Call Centres  Food Industry  Education  Seasonal jobs (fruit picking….)

14. Labour Surpluses  Fishermen  Unskilled workers  Low (un)skilled employees  Social profit sector workers

15. Career in the EU Institutions EPSO (The European Personnel Selection Office) Address: Info-Recruitment C-80 00/48 1049 Brussels Belgium Tel: + 32 (0)2.299.31.31 Languages: English, French, German E-mail: inforecruitment@cec.eu.int Website: http://europa.eu.int/epso

16. Work Experience for Graduates at the EU Institutions To give young university graduates a taste of what working for the EU is like, the Institutions organise traineeships or "stages“ each lasting 3-5 months.  The European Parliament  The Council  The Commission  Court of Justice  The Social and Economic Committee  The Committee of the Regions  The European Ombudsman  http://europa.eu/epso/working/training_en.htm http://europa.eu/epso/working/training_en.htm

17. Useful Links http://www.actiris.be http://www.adg.be http://www.leforem.be http://www.vdab.be http://www.stepstone.be http://www.emploi.lesoir.be http://www.feb.be http://www.references.be http://www.career.be http://www.belgium.be http://www.diplomatie.be http://www.fiscus.fgov.be http://www.socialsecurity.be http://www.onem.be http://www.brussel.irisnet.be http://www.flanders.be http://www.wallonie.be http://www.dglive.be http://www.eurobrussels.com http://www.jobsinhubs.com http://www.jobsinbrussels.com http://www.brusselsjobs.com

18. Thank you Dank U Merci DankeGrazie GraciasObrigado Tack Dzięki

19. Questions?