The employment market is becoming extremely competitive and it is vital for people to improve their skills and increase their work experience. Traineeships (Internships) are an ideal way to do this and it is an ideal opportunity to build up your business network.

There are two main sources where you can apply for traineeships in the EU:

Traineeships in EU Countries

These placements can be found through the EURES website. EURES is a European job mobility portal created by the European Commission to provide information, advice and recruitment/ placement (job-matching) services.

To search for traineeship placements on the EURES website: click on the "Search for a Job" button. Then on the search page, in the box labelled "keywords", type Traineeship. Section 3 on the search page allows you to select the country you wish to do your training in.

Traineeships in EU Institutions

Applications for traineeships are generally made through the institutions website:

  • European Commission Traineeships - These are paid traineeship of 5 months with the European Commission (or some executive bodies and agencies of the European Institutions like, for instance, the European External Action Service or Executive Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation). Calls for application happen twice a year (need to check the EC calendar for dates), e.g. for MARCH 2017-JULY 2017 Traineeships, applications need to be submitted between 18/07/2016 (12:00 noon, Brussels time) - 31/08/2016 (12:00 noon, Brussels time). You will receive a monthly grant of approximately €1,120 and reimbursement of travel expenses. Accident and health insurance can also be provided. Click on the following links for further information:

  • Scientific traineeships at the Joint Research Centre (JRC) - Although JRC is part of the European Commission applications need to be made through the JRC's External Staff Recruitment Application (ESRA) which also allows you to apply online.

  • European Parliament - The European Parliament offers several options for traineeships within its Secretariat, to provide opportunities for vocational training and for learning more about what the European Parliament is and does. Each type of traineeship have their own procedures and application dates. For more information visit their website.

  • Council of the European Union - The Council of the EU is the institution representing the member states' governments. It negotiates and adopts new EU legislation, adapts it when necessary, and coordinates policies. The Council offers different types of traineeships: Paid traineeships, Compulsory unpaid traineeships and Traineeships for national officials. Each type of traineeship has its own application procedure. Further information can be found on their website.

  • Court of Justice - The Court of Justice of the European Union offers a limited number of paid traineeships per year for a maximum duration of five months. There are two traineeship periods: from 1 March to 31 July (Application deadline: 30 September) and; from 1 October to 28 February (Application deadline: 30 April). Traineeships are generally undertaken in the Research and Documentation Directorate, the Press and Information Service, the Directorate-General for Translation or the Interpretation Directorate.

  • Committee of the Regions - The Committee of the Regions is the EU's assembly of regional and local representatives working towards European integration. It offers a limited number of 5 month traineeships for university graduates and local and regional authority staff. There are two traineeship periods: 16 February to 15 July (spring session) and 16 September to 15 February of the following year autumn session).

  • European Economic and Social Committee - The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is a consultative body that gives representatives of Europe's socio-occupational interest groups and others, a formal platform to express their points of views on EU issues. The EESC, twice a year, offers different traineeships to university graduates. Each type of traineeship has its own application process, for more information visit their website.

  • European Ombudsman - The Ombudsman offers traineeships, twice a year, primarily to university law graduates. The traineeships take place either in Strasbourg or in Brussels according to the needs of the Office. They start on 1 September and 1 January each year. Applications are submitted in English.

  • European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) - The main traineeship programme hosts on average two trainees per five-month session, twice a year, starting in October and in March. In addition, special provisions have been established to accept, under specific and limited admission criteria, university students and PhD students for short-term, non-remunerated traineeships. For more information visit their website.

Eurodesk

Eurodesk provides information on European policies and opportunities for young people. The information given aims to inform the reader of developments in the EU and provide sources, which will allow the reader to follow the debates on these key issues at European level.

Eurodesk also has a Eurodesk European Database for traineeship (internship) opportunities. The database alphabetically lists the different traineeship opportunities, competitions, funding opportunities, fellowship programmes etc.

Eurodesk Cyprus contacts