Evaluation of the quality framework for traineeships
On 10 January 2023, the European Commission published an evaluation of the European Quality Framework for Traineeships, which was adopted in the form of a Council recommendation in 2014 (see press release). This framework sets out 21 quality principles for traineeships that Member States are recommended to put into practice in order to ensure high-quality learning and adequate working conditions (s. Traineeship). The Commission has confirmed that, during the course of this year, it will put forward an update of the quality framework, strengthening certain principles, such as fair remuneration, access to social protection and adapting better to labour market developments (like remote work). Interestingly, the report illustrates the wide variety of national practices when it comes to traineeships, and provides examples from several countries (Austria, Spain, Finland) of existing collective agreements that offer trainees certain guarantees, such as paying a minimum remuneration, defining a training plan or establishing working conditions.
