Traineeships at the General Secretariat of the EU Council

Every year, there are around 100 places available for paid traineeships, and up to 6 places for paid trainees with a disability.

What can you expect from your traineeship?

A traineeship at the General Secretariat of the Council (GSC) offers:

• first-hand experience of the work of the GSC
• EU knowledge – insight into the processes and policies of the EU institutions
• an opportunity to contribute to the Council’s day-to-day business
• the chance to work in a multicultural, multilingual and multi-ethnic environment
• an opportunity to share your fresh point of view and the knowledge you have acquired during your studies

Important information: the organisation of traineeships is currently affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Find out more, by reading the section on COVID-19 implications for traineeships.

What does a traineeship involve?

Depending on the needs of the service, your daily work would generally be equivalent to that of junior administrator officials at the beginning of their career, such as:

• preparing meetings and drafting minutes
• attending meetings of Council preparatory bodies and Coreper (Committee of the Permanent Representatives of the Governments of the member states to the EU)
• researching on a particular project
• translating documents
• compiling documentation, writing reports

Trainees will also be invited to take part in a study programme that includes visits and conferences at other EU institutions in Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg.

Who can apply?

Nationality

GSC traineeships are open to:

• EU citizens
• citizens from candidate countries that have concluded EU accession negotiation

Languages

Candidates must have very good knowledge of at least two EU official languages. Given that English and French are used extensively for internal communication within the GSC, a good knowledge of English or French is required, (*C level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).

Profiles

The majority of applications currently come from candidates with qualifications in law, political science, international relations, EU studies and economics.

The GSC is also looking for trainees with qualifications in other domains, such as: translation, human resources, communication, education studies, computer sciences (collaboration platforms), archives and document management, civil engineering, graphic design, multimedia, agriculture, biochemical engineering, health and food safety, energy management, environment, aerospace engineering.

Who can’t apply?

Applications will not be accepted from candidates who have already benefited from any kind of training (paid or unpaid) or employment for more than 6 weeks within an EU institution, body, agency or office.

Deadline: 15 March 2023

More information: Apply for internships at the Council Secretariat