European Economic and Social Committee

General information on the periods of in-service training with the European Economic and Social Committee

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Introduction

Twice a year the European Economic and Social Committee offers traineeships for a period of five months to university graduates who are nationals of the Member States of the European Union, as well as to a number of university graduates from non-EU countries.

These periods of in-service training offer an opportunity to acquire professional experience in one of the EESC's departments. They begin on 16 February and 16 September of each year and take place in Brussels.

It is difficult to describe exactly the kind of work assigned to trainees, but it consists mainly of working with a mentor in drawing up records of meetings, carrying out research in a particular area, and in evaluating economic, financial and technical cooperation projects and programmes.

As the EESC generally receives between 800 and 1.000 applications for each period of in-service training, whilst the number of places available is about 15, it is important to understand fully the "extract from the provisions" set out below and to complete the on-line application form correctly. Any application form not complying with the rules will be rejected.

Recommendations

If your application has been pre-selected, you then are required to send the printed and signed application form by mail to the EESC traineeship office together with copies of your university degree certificate(s) (candidates not yet in possession of a degree certificate may instead provide a letter from their university stating that they have successfully completed the course of study in question), as well as copies of the certificates referred to in paragraph 2.1 of the provisions.

Failure to comply with this requirement is the main reason for the rejection of applications. Other documents (e.g. detailed curriculum vitae or references) may optionally be attached to your application form in support of your application and must reach the training office before the closing date that will be communicated.

Make sure that you keep copies of all documents sent to the training office. Do not send the originals of your degree certificate(s) or other supporting documents. It is not necessary to have certified copies made of your university degrees certificate(s).

Extract from provisions and application form

• Extract from provisions (PDF format - 28 KB)
• On-line Application Form for a long-term traineeship
• Situation of already submitted on-line candidatures  (2011)
  Situation of already submitted on-line candidatures (2012)
  for a long-term traineeship
• Paper Application Form for a short-term traineeship (PDF format - 125 KB)

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  Extract from provisions

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  Paper Application Form for a short-term traineeship

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