A crossroads called traineeships: how employers can support learners to cross the bridge between education and employment

It is often said that education takes a village, meaning that each individual’s learning process is a shared responsibility involving educators, parents and the wider community with the goal of providing space for the learner to develop their full potential. This shared responsibility doesn’t stop at graduation, it extends beyond the walls of learning institutions, throughout our lives, including traineeships. While at first glance, a traineeship might appear as falling solely under the world of work, its strong learning component makes it a crucial crossroads in a learner’s life. One that needs education and employment actors to join hands with learners and ensure that no one is left lost and without a way forward.

This need for dialogue and collaboration between learners, learning providers and employers is at the basis of the “Digitalising Erasmus Traineeship Application & Support” (DETAS) project. To ensure the different actors that take part in a successful traineeship experience are heard and supported, the project looks into each perspective and aims to bring them together for joint action into effecting positive changes in how Erasmus+ traineeships (and traineeships in general) are implemented. The first report on the students' experience in Erasmus+ traineeships showcased the academic findings and learner’s voices which call for addressing various challenges in their traineeship journey. One such challenge is linked to the barriers faced also by the employers involved in this process.

Taking this into consideration, the DETAS consortium developed and launched last Summer a practical toolkit for employers on recruitment, support and evaluation: “Managing Erasmus+ Traineeships”. This resource is designed to assist employers in hosting Erasmus+ interns and trainees, offering practical guidance for each stage of the placement process, from recruitment to offboarding.

Why an employer toolkit?

While Erasmus+ traineeships are valuable for students entering the international job market, employers often face challenges like unclear procedures, lack of support tools, or last-minute cancellations. Based on results stemming from employer surveys and co-creation workshops, the toolkit directly addresses these needs with validated strategies, downloadable templates, and real-world insights to improve both the trainee experience and employer outcomes. The toolkit includes a recruitment checklist, pre-arrival and onboarding tools (like "First-Day Icebreakers" and mentor templates), mid-placement check-in and engagement trackers, and evaluation surveys and offboarding tools.

What’s next in employer support for improved traineeships?

Naturally, the work doesn’t end here. As with any other innovation, the tools will need to be continuously tested and guidance will be developed in order to ensure that the toolkit becomes a real asset for employers. This work is key to guarantee that the toolkit doesn’t become a burden to small to medium employers or that it is not a repetition of already existing processes within more established employers.

The goal afterall is to empower employers to shape talent: with erasmusintern.org as its digital foundation, the DETAS consortium aims to create a seamless match between motivated students and quality traineeship opportunities. Moreover, the Employer Toolkit supports EU goals for more inclusive, accessible, and high-quality mobility experiences, contributing to a stronger, competent workforce across borders.

You can find the Employer Toolkit and all materials here and in the Resources section of detas.erasmusintern.org.