The European Commission has produced guidelines aimed at ensuring that trainees get high-quality work experience under safe and fair conditions. The proposals also seek to ensure that work experience programmes enhance participants’ chances of finding a good quality job.

The Commission guidelines, published amidst growing trade union concern about the exploitation of interns and other trainees, call for written traineeship agreements that outline working conditions and the learning content of each trainee programme. It says these should include details of working time and give a clear indication of whether the trainee will be paid.

The Commission also says trainee programmes should be limited to six months and comply with EU rules on working time and holiday entitlements. The proposal specifically calls on member states to adapt their national laws and practices to meet the standards set out in the guidelines.

A recent survey of young Europeans revealed that, while almost half had done a traineeship,  a third of the programmes were not up to scratch. Criticisms included lack of payment and poor opportunities to gain skills.