A new framework aims to improve the quality of traineeships.

Many young Europeans use the opportunity to do an traineeship before, during or after their studies. The internal market of the European Union (EU) offers the chance to gain work experience in other member states. However, only half of the approximately 1.6 million traineeships are remunerated. The European Commission has taken up the issue at the request of the European Parliament.

The parliamentary resolution of 14 June 2023 addresses the precarious situation of many interns who are in unpaid long-term employment. Other challenges include their unequal position compared to permanent employees, the high workload and the lack of social security. It is also criticised that interns are often not taught any learning content, but instead replace regular staff.

On 20 March, the European Commission presented two proposals and measures to improve traineeships within the EU. The Commission has put forward two proposals: a proposal for a Directive on improving and enforcing working conditions for trainees and combatting regular employment relationships disguised as traineeships; a proposal to revise the 2014 Council Recommendation on a Quality Framework for Traineeships to address issues of quality and inclusiveness, such as fair pay and access to social protection. The DSV welcomes the Commission's efforts to improve working conditions and social protection in internships.

Better informed - preventative measures

Many young Europeans take the opportunity to do a traineeship before, during or after their education. The single market of the European Union (EU) offers the chance to gain work experience in other member states. However, only half of the approximately 1.6 million traineeships are remunerated. The issue was taken up by the European Commission at the request of the European Parliament.

The European Parliament resolution of 14 June 2023 addresses the precarious situation of many trainees who are in unpaid long-term employment. Other challenges include their unequal position compared to permanent employees, the high workload and the lack of social security. It is also criticised that trainees are often not taught any learning content, but instead replace regular staff.

On 20 March, the European Commission presented two proposals and measures to improve traineeships within the EU. The Commission has put forward two proposals: a proposal for a Directive on improving and enforcing working conditions for trainees and combatting regular employment relationships disguised as traineeships as well as a proposal to revise the 2014 Council Recommendation on a Quality Framework for Traineeships to address issues of quality and inclusiveness, such as fair pay and access to social protection. The DSV welcomes the Commission's efforts to improve working conditions and social protection in traineeships.

Collab­o­ra­tion between old and new - the Trainee­ship Agreement

The Council has set out a framework of criteria that may be flexibly adapted and adopted by Member States according to their needs. The traineeship agreement is the central focus of the recommendation, acting as a source of information. Agreements should include binding elements on labour and social protection that apply in the EU. Additionally, employers are required to provide these agreements to their trainees. In the area of social protection, the inclusion of coverage for sickness, accidents at work and occupational diseases is a notable addition. The DSV welcomes this development but suggests that the current wording may lack sufficient detail, potentially leaving loopholes in the information provided. 

Traineeship - what does that mean?

There is currently no standardised definition of traineeships within the EU. For this reason, the DSV is in favour of ensuring that the terms currently used in the proposed directive and the Council recommendations remain consistent and coherent throughout the revision process. The terminology used for traineeships in the Commission's proposals is not identical. However, the basic elements do not differ.

Further action

In the further course of the process, the Commission's suggestions for directive go to the European Parliament, the member states and the Council for deliberation. If the proposal is adopted, the member states will have two years to incorporate it into national legislation.

Positionpaper DSV