On the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on improving and enforcing working conditions of trainees and combating regular employment relationships disguised as traineeships (‘Traineeships Directive’)
CULT-PA-767866
Committee on Culture and Education · Rapporteur: Nicola Zingaretti
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The Committee on Culture and Education's draft opinion amends the proposed Traineeships Directive. It adds a written and paid contract requirement, defines four types of traineeships, and requires equal treatment with comparable regular employees including pay, social protection, health and accident insurance.¶¶¶ It sets a six-to-twelve-month time limit for excessive duration, requires vacancy notices to state tasks, working conditions and pay, and asks Member States to improve access for people facing higher obstacles.¶¶¶ It adds learning outcomes, mentoring and certification, and requires traineeships to be recognised as valid work experience in recruitment.¶¶¶
Committee position. The Committee on Culture and Education proposes amendments to the Traineeships Directive, including a written paid contract requirement, definitions of four traineeship types, equal treatment with regular employees, a six-to-twelve-month time limit, and improved access for vulnerable groups.¶¶¶
Key points
- Member States should ensure trainees are covered by a written and paid employment contract of limited duration.¶
- The Directive would apply to open-market traineeships, active labour market policy traineeships, mandatory professional training traineeships, and traineeships in formal education curricula.¶
- New definitions cover learning and training components, open-market traineeships, active labour market policy traineeships, mandatory professional training traineeships, and formal education traineeships.¶¶¶
- Trainees must not be treated less favourably than comparable regular employees on working conditions including pay, social protection, health and accident insurance, unless objectively justified.¶
- Member States must take measures to improve access to traineeships for people in vulnerable situations, including persons with disabilities, rural residents, migrants, Roma, and those with lower educational attainment.¶
- Member States must define a time limit of six to twelve months indicating excessive duration of a traineeship and of repeated or consecutive traineeships with the same employer.¶
- Employers must include gender neutral and inclusive information in vacancy notices on expected tasks, responsibilities, work intensity, working conditions including pay, social protection, health and accident insurance, and learning and training components.¶
- Learning outcomes must be agreed between trainee and employer, indicated in the traineeship agreement, and recognised through a traineeship certificate, Europass or micro-credentials.¶¶
- Member States should guarantee that traineeships are recognised as valid work experience in private and public recruitment processes.¶
- Member States should develop a common quality framework and guidance for employers on the legal framework, labour law, social protection, and quality and accessibility practices.¶
- Member States should ensure data collection and effective controls and inspections to combat disguised employment relationships.¶
Who is affected
- Trainees: entitled to written paid contracts, equal treatment, and recognition of learning outcomes.¶¶¶
- Employers: must provide written paid contracts, include detailed vacancy information, and designate mentors.¶¶
- Member States: must set time limits, improve access, collect data, and conduct inspections.¶¶¶
- People in vulnerable situations: targeted measures to improve access to traineeships.