Trainsheep at European Commission, in Brussels.
Application procedure
The application procedure consists of three steps:
1) Create a EU Login account or login with an existing one
2) Complete and submit the application form along with your supporting documents
3) If successful, you will be invited to check the openings published on VBB portal and apply for a chosen traineeship post.
Step 1: Create an EU Login or connect with an existing accountRegister on European Commission Authentication Service (EU Login) to begin your application.
Step 2: Complete and submit the application form
a) Go to your account, click on Send an application and choose the traineeship type to access the application form. Fill in the form section by section or jump from one section to another using the menu on the left-hand side of the page. Read and follow carefully the instructions provided for each section.
You do not have to fill in everything in a single session. Save your entries and log back in at any time to continue and submit your application. You can preview your application form at any time, before or after submitting it. You cannot make changes to the application once it has been submitted. Log in and complete each section of the application form following carefully the instructions provided.
You do not have to fill in the entire form in a single session. You can save your entries and log in later to make changes and submit your application using your username and password. You can also preview your application form in a printer-friendly pdf format at any time during the application period.
b) Upload your supporting documents.
You must attach the following supporting documents to your application form:
- a copy of your:
– valid ID card or passport
– university qualifications of studies completed before the deadline for applications
proof of ongoing) studies (incl. proof of EQF level), university exchange programmes abroad, participation in EU or international programmes, seminars or workshops
– all declared language skills (other than mother tongue/s)
– all declared work experience - Please ensure that you upload all the justification documents to support every item declared on your application form, before submitting it. The pre-selection committee will reject your application if you do not provide adequate evidence of your declared studies, language knowledge, experience and other information stated on the form. Document only the items you have declared.
It is highly recommended to prepare your supporting documents well in advance to avoid missing the deadline. No additional documents or justifications will be admitted after the reception of the application. Allow up to 3 working days for a response if you require (technical) assistance.
c) Once your application is submitted, you will need to wait for the results of its evaluation. You will be informed about the results via e-mail. In case of acceptance, you will be invited to apply to available traineeship positions.
Have you already submitted your application? Wait for the result of the evaluation phase! We will send the results via e-mail and publish them in your account. Make sure you check your account regularly.
If successful, we will invite you to apply to available traineeship positions.
Step 3: Apply for up to 3 traineeship posts in VBB
You will receive instructions to connect to Virtual Blue Book portal where Commission services and agencies propose various traineeship positions. The number of proposed positions matches the number of trainees per session. Carefully read the job description and the details of the post. You may mark as many positions as you like as favourites.
Candidates may apply for up to three posts. Applications for traineeship positions in VBB will be allowed for one week and there will be a cap of 25 candidates per post. Post openings will be unpublished as soon as the maximum number of applicants has been reached or after one week.
Please do not wait until the very last few days for applying. Once there are enough applications registered for a specific post, the position will disappear from the list.
What is the duration of the traineeship?
- March to the end of July
October to the end of February the following year. - Commission employees work 40 hours a week, 8 hours per day.
Official working hours are 8:00 – 19:00 – The minimum lunch break is 20 minutes.
Eligibility
The traineeship programme is open to university graduates who:
- have completed a standard 3-year higher education degree (minimum EQF 6 level), corresponding to a complete Bachelor’s cycle, or equivalent. Only if you have a certificate or official confirmation from your university that you have such a degree will you be eligible to apply. You will have to provide the following documents:
- diplomas or certificates with final grades clearly indicated
- and proof of minimum EQF 6 level. Find out more about EQF levels
- have no prior work experience of any kind, in excess of 6 weeks in any EU institution, body or agency, delegation, with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), or Advocates General at the Court of Justice of the European Union (EUCJ)
have a very good knowledge of languages:
For the administrative traineeship – you must have a very good knowledge of two EU official languages, one of which must be a working language: English, French or German at C1 or C2 level as per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and a second one at B2 level at least as per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. For non-EU nationals, only one procedural language is required at C1 or C2 level
For the translation traineeship in the Directorate-General for Translation (DGT) – you must be able to translate into your main/target language (normally your mother tongue), from two other official EU languages (‘source languages’*).:
- your main/target language must be one of the official EU languages
- 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 of the official EU languages with at least B2-level proficiency
The living allowance for the traineeship sessions in 2022 will be €1 252,68 per month.
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