The European Union Traineeship Program, also called the Blue Book Traineeship program, is a fantastic chance for students to gain valuable work experience at the European Union. The program offers two intakes every year, allowing students to work in various departments, agencies, and bodies of the EU.
Participants in this traineeship will experience firsthand how these services operate. They may develop skills in areas such as competition law, human resources, environmental policy, and more. Through interactions like meetings, group work, and public hearings, students gain insights into the inner workings of these prestigious organizations and how they collaborate towards a better future.
The European Commission Blue Book traineeship program typically has two annual intakes, providing roughly 1800 paid internship positions. The program spans five (5) months (March to July or October to February) and offers positions in administration or translation.
The European Commission Blue Book traineeship program
begins on either March 1st or October 1st every year. Trainees work 40 hours a week and gain practical experience in EU policymaking within a diverse and international environment. Applications for the European Commission internship are submitted online.
European Union Traineeships Details
- Offered By: European Commission
- EU Traineeship Duration: The EU internship lasts for 5 months.
Certainly, here is the text rewritten in professional English, maintaining the original formatting:
Advantages of the European Union Traineeships Program
Selected participants in the European Commission internship will gain the following:
- In-depth understanding: Insight into the inner workings and policies of the European Institutions.
- Active contribution: An opportunity to participate in the daily activities of the Commission.
- Practical experience: The chance to apply academic knowledge in a real-world setting.
- Financial support: A monthly living allowance of €1,252.68 for the 2024 sessions.
- Reimbursement: Visa costs and related medical expenses, along with travel costs, will be reimbursed.
Eligibility for the European Commission Traineeship
Subject to specific eligibility criteria, the traineeship is open to all EU citizens regardless of age. A limited number of positions are available for non-EU nationals. The program is open to university graduates who:
- Have a Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent: Possess a standard 3-year higher education degree (minimum EQF level 6) or equivalent. A certificate or official confirmation from your university is required, along with documents showing final grades and proof of EQF level 6.
- Have Limited Prior Work Experience: Have no prior work experience exceeding 6 weeks in any EU institution, body, agency, delegation, with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), or Advocates General at the Court of Justice of the European Union (EUCJ).
- Possess Strong Language Skills: Demonstrate proficiency in relevant languages.
Language Requirements for Administrative Traineeship
- You must be highly proficient in two official EU languages. One must be a procedural language (English, French, or German) at C1 or C2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The second language should be at least B2 level (CEFR).
- For non-EU nationals, only one procedural language is required at C1 or C2 level.
Language Requirements for Translation Traineeship (DGT)
- You must be able to translate into your main/target language (usually your native language) from two other official EU languages.
- At least one of the source languages must be French, English, or German.
- Your main/target language must be an official EU language.
- Your first source language for translation must be a working language of the EU: English, French, or German.
- Your second source language can be any official EU language, with at least B2-level proficiency.
European Commission Traineeship Selection Criteria
Applications are assessed anonymously based on the following criteria, in order of importance:
- Education Level: Minimum of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
- Language Proficiency: Level of proficiency in one of the three European Commission working/procedural languages (English, French, German).
- Additional Language Skills: Proficiency in other official/working EU languages or any other languages (for non-EU nationals, only one procedural language is mandatory).
- Relevant Work Experience (if applicable)
- International Profile: Experience in education, work, or volunteering abroad, mobility, and ability to work in an international environment (if applicable).
- Motivation and Quality of Reasoning
- Rare Fields of Study (if applicable)
- Papers and Publications (if applicable)
How to Apply for the European Commission Traineeship
To apply for this European program, please follow these steps:
STEP 1: Register
Click on the “Apply” button below to register on the application platform and initiate your application.
- For any questions regarding your registration with EU Login (European Commission’s authentication service), please refer to the EU Login FAQ page or contact eu-login-external-support@ec.europa.eu.
STEP 2: Complete your application
Log in and fill out the application form.
- You are not required to complete the entire form in one session. You can save your progress and return at any time to complete your application and upload all necessary documents.
STEP 3: Submit your application
Before submitting, the system will provide an overview and highlight any incomplete sections.
- Once your form is fully and accurately filled out, you can submit your application. Note that no changes can be made after submission.
- A confirmation receipt with your candidate number will appear on-screen, verifying successful submission.
- It is strongly recommended to avoid waiting until the last minute to submit your application.
Note: After submission, you will need to await the evaluation results. You will be notified of the outcome via email. If accepted, you will be invited to apply for available traineeship positions.
STEP 4: Apply for Traineeship
Selected candidates will receive instructions to access the Virtual Blue Book (VBB) portal, where Commission services and agencies advertise various traineeship opportunities.
- Carefully review the job descriptions and post details.
- You can mark multiple positions as favorites.
- Candidates can apply for up to three posts.
- Applications for traineeship positions in VBB will be open for one week, with a limit of 25 candidates per post.
- Postings will be removed once the maximum number of applicants is reached or after one week.
Important Note: It is highly advisable to apply well in advance of the deadline. Once a specific position has received a sufficient number of applications, it will be removed from the list of available opportunities.
Required Documentation
- A copy of a valid ID card or passport.
- A copy of your university degree(s) completed before the application deadline.
- Evidence of any current studies, university exchange programs abroad, or participation in EU or international programs, seminars, or workshops.
- Proof of all declared language skills (excluding your native language/s).
- Documentation of all declared work experience.
- Copies of all declared publications.
The application deadline is August 30, 2024, at 12:00 PM (Central European Time).
For further information about the European Commission Traineeship, please visit the official website here.
