Improving trainee­ship condi­tions in the EU.

In the last two years, much has been done to promote youth employment in Europe. One important aspect that emerged from the discussions at the Conference on the Future of Europe and the European Year of Youth related to the conditions of traineeships in the European Union (EU). In parallel to the discussions, the European Commission analysed the impact of the 2014 EU quality framework for traineeships. The European Parliament also published a resolution on high-quality traineeships in the Union. The various initiatives resulted in a proposal to revise the 2014 Council Recommendation on a quality framework for traineeships.

Inno­va­tions in the quality frame­work

The proposal published by the European Commission on 20 March aims to strengthen the existing quality framework. To this end, the scope of application was expressly opened up to all trainees, regardless of the structure of the traineeship. Many elements from the 2014 Council recommendation were included in the proposal, and their importance was emphasised in some cases. These linguistic changes to the text point out the objective of a more binding nature.

There have been extensions above all in the area of learning and training objectives and working conditions. Trainees are assigned a mentor apart from receiving better information on social protection coverage, which also includes coverage for sickness and healthcare as well as protection in the event of accidents at work and occupational diseases. In addition, their social protection should be guaranteed in accordance with national law and the 2019 Council Recommendation on access to social protection for workers and the self-employed.

Quality principles relating to inclusive work placements have been newly incorporated. These are intended to ensure equal treatment and non-discrimination of trainees, as well as adaptation of the workplace and recruitment of potential trainees from groups in precarious situations. Furthermore, a fair salary should be paid, a suitable working environment should be provided and applicants should not be required to have any professional experience. Unless this can be objectively justified for the field of activity of the traineeship. Amendments necessary due to the period of validity of the current Recommendation relate to the use of the EURES portal, the Erasmus+ programme and the digital transformation.

Next step

The draft recommendation was submitted to the Council for discussion. Once the text has been adopted by the Council, the European Commission will support the Member States in implementing the recommendation. The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) reserves the right to decide whether a European Parliament resolution on the Council recommendation should be drawn up.