Improving the quality of traineeships in the EU

Trainees all over the EU will benefit from better quality traineeships thanks to new Commission proposals. They will improve and enforce working conditions for trainees, and ensure everyone can do a traineeship regardless of their socio-economic background or disability, by:

• improving learning content
• ensuring fair pay
• helping trainees claim their labour rights
• recommending access to adequate social protection
• combatting regular jobs disguised as traineeships
• creating channels to report malpractice and poor working conditions
• promoting equal access to traineeship opportunities
• allowing for hybrid and remote working
• offering career guidance and mentorship
• covering all types of traineeships

The EU's current framework for traineeships already sets out 21 quality principles to ensure high-quality learning and working conditions. These include clear vacancy notices, written traineeship agreements, clearly defined learning objectives, and transparent information on remuneration and social protection. The new rules will reinforce this existing framework once adopted, as called for by the Conference on the Future of Europe and the European Parliament.

Traineeships are an important way to gain practical experience, learn new skills and find a job. For employers, traineeships attract, train and retain people for jobs. A recent Eurobarometer survey showed that 78% of young Europeans did at least one traineeship, with 68% finding a job afterwards. More than half of these internships were paid and 61% of respondents had full or partial access to social protection.

For more information

Traineeships in the EU

Press release: Commission takes action to improve the quality of traineeships in the EU

Eurobarometer survey on traineeships 

European Year of Skills

European Youth Portal

Commission's Blue Book traineeship programme