Professions in the UK, and the European picture

The following information is collated from the websites http://www.europeopen.org.uk/ and http://www.europass.org.uk/

At present, the UK system is relatively permissive, with only 102 professions currently regulated (mostly clustered within the teaching, medical and legal sectors). Regulated professions, which include professions such as architecture, teachers in publicly regulated schools, doctors, midwives and nurses, are professions in which those wishing to practice are required by law to fulfil specific conditions and present specified qualifications in order to legally practice the profession in the UK. A list of those approved to practice is held by the relevant competent authority (for example, the Register of Architects is held by the Architects Registration Board).

An unregulated occupation is a profession/trade for which there is no legal requirement or restriction on practice with regard to licenses, certificates or registration therefore you do not need to apply for recognition of your professional qualifications. You can practice in that Member State, subject to the same conditions as its own citizens.

Most professions are unregulated in the UK. There are no laws restricting individuals wishing to practice these professions and no specific qualifications or training are required. Individual employers will determine what qualifications they deem to be necessary for the adequate performance of an individual's job duties.

There is no requirement that the individual register with any authority or organisation.

While individuals are perfectly entitled to practice unregulated professions without obtaining a protected title, only those who have obtained the title from the relevant professional body may legally use it. In Europe, mountaineering is an unregulated occupation in most countries and/or regions but not all.

There are, in the UK, a number of "protected professional titles" with designatory letters (for example Chartered Engineer (CEng)). Unless the profession is otherwise listed as a regulated profession, these titles are ordinarily voluntary and individuals are under no obligation to obtain a protected title in order to practice their chosen profession. These titles are often sought in order to enhance a person's status within their chosen profession, as the titles ordinarily convey to customers that a higher level of training and, therefore, of quality has been attained by the holder of the title.

For unregulated industries within Europe, Europass Mobility records skills and competences acquired through an organised period of learning or training abroad. Listing your skills and competences is all well and good, but can you prove you have these skills? Can you verify the skills you list in your CV?

The Europass Mobility document validates the learning outcomes achieved during a time spent abroad training, working or learning. It also helps individuals to display their skills and competences to employers.
It is the best way to show employers evidence of the experiences you mention in your CV.
The Europass Mobility Supplement is the best way to verify your training experiences and the skills you have developed.  Check out this website for futher infomation: http://www.europass.org.uk/