Reinforced quality framework for traineeships
SEDEC-VII/050
Reinforced quality framework for traineeships
THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS (CoR)
- welcomes the revision of the 2014 Council Recommendation for a reinforced quality framework for traineeships and the proposal for a Directive aiming to tackle the problematic and unlawful use of traineeships. Notes, however, that the Directive does not address the broad divergences of traineeships and the subsequent wide spectrum of challenges faced by trainees;
- highlights the importance for traineeships to have significant and relevant learning or training components. Insists on the need to refer clearly to the roles of supervisor and mentor. Calls for the explicit establishment in the Directive of a maximum duration limit of six months for traineeships and asks for a minimum duration of one month in order to ensure meaningful learning experiences;
- reiterates its call ‘for effective banning of unpaid internships in all Member States’ in order to reduce labour market exploitation and enable all individuals, including those from vulnerable groups, to have access to meaningful and adequately remunerated traineeship opportunities. In this context, appropriate compensation, be it financial or complemented by benefits in kind, should cover trainees’ basic living costs to improve the affordability of traineeships and ensure social inclusion;
- welcomes the proposed assessment criteria for bogus traineeships and considers that the occurrence of at least two such indicative criteria should be indicative of irregular employment. Recommends the creation of an EU database for tracking traineeship outcomes;
- calls on the European Commission and Member States to consider the contribution of LRAs to the effective monitoring and implementation of traineeship policies, including in facilitating cross-border mobility of trainees. Calls for enhanced cooperation between all levels of government to ensure that traineeships are quality-focused, inclusive, and aligned with local and regional economic needs.
- welcomes the revision of the 2014 Council Recommendation for a reinforced quality framework for traineeships and the proposal for a Directive aiming to tackle the problematic and unlawful use of traineeships. Notes, however, that the Directive does not address the broad divergences of traineeships and the subsequent wide spectrum of challenges faced by trainees;
- highlights the importance for traineeships to have significant and relevant learning or training components. Insists on the need to refer clearly to the roles of supervisor and mentor. Calls for the explicit establishment in the Directive of a maximum duration limit of six months for traineeships and asks for a minimum duration of one month in order to ensure meaningful learning experiences;
- reiterates its call ‘for effective banning of unpaid internships in all Member States’ in order to reduce labour market exploitation and enable all individuals, including those from vulnerable groups, to have access to meaningful and adequately remunerated traineeship opportunities. In this context, appropriate compensation, be it financial or complemented by benefits in kind, should cover trainees’ basic living costs to improve the affordability of traineeships and ensure social inclusion;
- welcomes the proposed assessment criteria for bogus traineeships and considers that the occurrence of at least two such indicative criteria should be indicative of irregular employment. Recommends the creation of an EU database for tracking traineeship outcomes;
- calls on the European Commission and Member States to consider the contribution of LRAs to the effective monitoring and implementation of traineeship policies, including in facilitating cross-border mobility of trainees. Calls for enhanced cooperation between all levels of government to ensure that traineeships are quality-focused, inclusive, and aligned with local and regional economic needs.
