Council recommendation on a Quality Framework for Traineeships

On 10 March the Council adopted a Recommendation on "a quality framework for traineeships"
The Member States are invited to change their national law between now and the end of 2015 such that traineeship conditions must be agreed in writing between the trainee and the "traineeship provider" (the employer). The agreement should state the objectives of the traineeship, the working conditions, whether the trainees will be paid or otherwise compensated, and whether they will qualify for social security. The States should ensure that the traineeships have "a reasonable duration ... that, in principle, does not exceed six months". The Recommendation is judged insufficient by numerous member organisations of the European Youth Forum and by the European Trade Union Confederation.