The European Commission updated rules for its traineeship programme, establishing a single modernised framework that makes the scheme more inclusive and better aligned with Europe's skills and employment objectives. For the first time, graduates from vocational education and training (VET) will be eligible to apply to the Commission's traineeship programme – the ‘Blue Book traineeship' –, broadening access to high-quality traineeships and recognising the value of diverse learning routes across Europe.
The Commission is taking an important step towards ensuring that its traineeship opportunities better reflect the diversity of talent in the European Union. This change supports the objectives of the Union of Skills, helping VET graduates acquire meaningful professional experience in a high-quality European public administration setting. It also recognises the important contribution that VET offers to the labour market.
The updated framework also strengthens the financial conditions available to trainees by improving the structure of grants and allowances, helping reduce practical and financial barriers to participation. These changes are designed to make the traineeship programme more inclusive for candidates from different educational backgrounds, from all over the Union.
At the same time, the new rules reinforce the Commission's commitment to inclusivity, fairness and a safe working environment. They support equal treatment and seek to ensure that trainees can learn and contribute to an environment defined by respect, dignity and opportunity and they include clear provisions on anti-harassment and non-discrimination. The revised framework places greater emphasis on geographical balance, with the aim of ensuring broad representation across Member States.
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