Traineeships in EU Institutions

EU traineeships

Traineeship is training for specific job, sort of vocational training, usually paid where you can acquire set of skills and knowledge need for specific post. Therefore EU traineeship can be the first step toward your career in EU affirs, as most of EU institutions and agencies organize this type of internships.

EU traineeships are open to professionals comming from variety of fields, fom linguists to lawyers, Only precondition is that you speak at least two out of 23 official languages spoken throughout the EU,  and that you are about to finish first cycle of your university studies. Still some traineeships are open even to those having obtained high school diploma, and being profiicient in at least English. Majority of the main EU institutions are based in Brussels in Belgium, where a number of them run traineeships for graduates and students from the 27 member states looking to put their language skills into practice.
In the list below you can find basic info on traineeships in main EU bodies:

European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the EU, responsible for enforcing legislation and treaties alongside the general running of the EU.
The European Commission offers two paid traineeship programmes for graduates, both running from March to October, and from October till March in the following areas:
Administration. Administration traineeships involve research, writing reports and general office duties across a number of offices in the Commission. Applicants must have a good knowledge of English, French or German and at least one other official EU language.
Translation. Translation traineeships are run by the Directorate General office only. Trainees are placed with translation offices, and must be able to translate written documents between their first language and at least two other official EU languages.

European Parliament

The European Parliament is where the elected MEPs sit, and is responsible for debating and passing new EU laws and treaties alongside the Council of Europe.
The European Parliament offers two paid traineeship programmes for graduates:
Robert Schuman scholarship. Robert Schuman scholarships last for five months and can either be general, or with a specialism in journalism. Alongside a relevant degree, applicants must also demonstrate strong written and research skills, preferably in published work.Translation scholarship. Translation scholarships last three months and are based with the European Parliament’s translation department in Luxembourg. Alongside a relevant degree, applicants must also have a perfect knowledge of one official EU language, and a thorough knowledge of at least two others.
The European Parliament also offers other unpaid traineeship programmes in both general administration and translation. These last between one and three months and must be part of a university degree course or professional training. Applicants for the translation traineeship must also have a perfect knowledge of one official EU language, and a thorough knowledge of at least two others.
Alongside the official programmes, many MEPs also offer work experience placements in their individual offices. Look at the list of MEPs on the European Parliament website, and then contact them directly to find out if they have any opportunities.

The Council of the European Union 

The Council of the European Union (or Council of Ministers) consists of representative ministers from all 27 EU member states. They debate and pass new EU laws and treaties with the European Parliament, and are also completely responsible for the EU’s foreign affairs policies.
The Council of the European Union offers two types of traineeship programme:
Paid traineeships. The Council of Europe offers 95 paid traineeships every year, each for five months between either February to June or September to January. Applicants must have a degree and be fluent in the languages specified on the application form.Student traineeships. These unpaid traineeships are for students who need to complete a work experience placement as part of their university studies. They run between either February to June or September to January, and applicants must have a good knowledge of the languages specified on the application form.

 

European Committee of the Regions

 

The European Committee of the Regions works with local and regional councils and authorities in the 27 member states. The Committee of the Regions offers two types of traineeship programme:

Paid traineeships. These five-month paid traineeships run from either February to July or September to February, and involve working with either the Council’s administrative or lobbying departments. Applicants must be graduates and be fluent in one official EU language with a good knowledge of at least one more, one of which must be either English or French.Unpaid traineeships. The Committee also runs short-term placements in their political and administrative departments throughout the year. Applicants must be graduates who are fluent in either English or French.

European Economic and Social Committee

The European Economic and Social Committee consults with local and national organisations and government departments in the member states on matters of economic and social policy

The European Economic and Social Committee offers two sets of five month paid traineeships a year, one beginning in February and one in September, with around 15 places available on each. The traineeships are mainly research-based, and applicants must be graduates who are fluent in one official EU language and have a good knowledge of at least one more.

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