EU Traineeships Under the Spotlight: Second Round of Consultations

The European Commission has launched its second round of consultations with social partners. Among the key players invited to the table is CEC European Managers, the recognized social partner representing leaders and managers.

Traineeships have long been heralded as a bridge between academia and the professional world. They offer young people the chance to gain hands-on experience, explore career paths, and acquire skills essential for modern workplaces.

However, as CEC European Managers has pointed out in its response, the system is marred by significant challenges that hinder its potential to be a truly inclusive and impactful tool.

CEC European Managers has identified several pressing concerns. Access to traineeships remains unequal, disproportionately affecting individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Furthermore, many internships deviate from their primary goal, with some organisations exploiting trainees as a source of cheap labour. The organisation also highlights the diversity of legal frameworks across EU member states, which complicates efforts to establish a unified standard for traineeships. The lack of clarity in EU law regarding the definition of “workers” adds to this complexity, leaving trainees vulnerable to exploitation and unprotected by key labor rights.

CEC European Managers’ members have called for reforms that align traineeships with broader career development and lifelong learning policies, particularly in the context of digital and green transitions.

CEC European Managers is open to dialogue under Article 155 TFEU, signaling a willingness to collaborate on legislative actions that could establish a binding framework for high-quality traineeships across the EU.

Key proposals include developing an EU-level platform to improve transparency and accessibility, creating mobility funds to support cross-border internships, and leveraging the successful Erasmus+ model to promote transnational exchange and learning.