Explore our traineeship programme: your chance to gain hands-on experience, build real skills, expand your network, and make your mark in Europe.
Each year, we offer 10‑month paid traineeships, usually starting on 1 October. All traineeships take place in Thessaloniki, Greece.
As a trainee, you will contribute to Cedefop projects, guided by supervisors who will mentor you throughout your traineeship, helping you acquire skills essential for your professional and personal growth.
Details for the upcoming call will be available here soon
Who can apply?
Nationality: you must be a citizen of EU Member States (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden) or EFTA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland).
Education: you must have successfully completed a post-secondary education of at least 3 years (minimum EQF 6 level): this includes Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, PhD, or equivalent qualifications; obtained within 3 years by the closing date for applications.
Language: you must demonstrate a minimum C1 level of English proficiency in all areas (reading, writing, speaking, listening), in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Who can't apply?
Candidates who do not meet the above requirements by the closing date of the traineeship notice.
Candidates who have already benefited from any kind of paid/unpaid traineeship or employment within an EU institution/body/agency/office for more than 6 weeks.
How to apply?
Submit your application online via the 'Vacancies' webpage. Applications sent by email or post will not be accepted.
The online application must be completed in English:
- Select up to 3 traineeships of interest, in order of priority.
- For each selected traineeship, describe your motivation and explain how you can contribute, highlighting your skills and relevant past experience.
- Attach your CV in English as Attachment 1.
- Attach proof of completion of the education required for eligibility as Attachment 2 (e.g. a copy of your Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD certificate, or equivalent qualifications). You may also include optional documents such as language certificates, recommendation letters, or other relevant documents, if you wish. A translation is not required if the document is issued in any official EU language.It is advisable that the online application is submitted well before the deadline to avoid any issues as the closing date approaches.
Due to the high volume of applications, Cedefop will not respond to individual queries but will send an automatic notification regarding the outcome to all candidates at the end of the process.
Grants
Trainees receive a monthly maintenance grant, which is regularly updated. The current amounts are:
EUR 1,338.20 per month for trainees residing further than 50 km away from Thessaloniki before starting their traineeship.
EUR 1,003.65 per month for trainees who, prior to the start of their traineeship, resided within a radius of 50 kilometres or less from Thessaloniki.
Protection of personal data
Please refer to the Traineeship privacy statement.