The European Centre For Modern Languages (ECML) in Graz, Austria, has been offering traineeships since 1997. The scheme has proved a highly successful means of developing further contacts between the Centre and its member states. Recruiting young professionals from all over Europe to join its team for a short period both reinforces the Centre’s role as a place of international cooperation and promotes an atmosphere of intercultural learning. For the trainees it often represents their first experience of an international organisation. The scheme which the ECML now offers is the result of a learning process and is adapted to meet the needs both of the Centre and the trainees themselves.
Duration & Traineeship Areas
The ECML offers traineeships, lasting in general 6 months, twice a year. According to their field of interest applicants can choose the main area in which they would like to be involved (although the tasks will cover a wide variety of areas):
- organisation of events and meetings;
- documentation and resources;
- the Centre’s website;
- finances and general administration
Duration & Traineeship Areas
The ECML offers traineeships, lasting in general 6 months, twice a year. According to their field of interest applicants can choose the main area in which they would like to be involved (although the tasks will cover a wide variety of areas):
- organisation of events and meetings;
- documentation and resources;
- the Centre’s website;
- finances and general administration
Eligibility
Trainees should be graduate students preferably at postgraduate level. They should be plurilingual (English, French, German) and have adequate writing and computer skills as they will frequently be asked to translate official documents.
Allowance
Trainees receive an allowance from the Centre of approximately 686 Euros per month. This allowance is transferred by the Council of Europe at the end of each calendar month, i.e. if the trainee starts work on 1 July the payment will not arrive until 31 July. As this can be problematic at the start of the stay, particularly when a deposit and payment in advance is often required for accommodation,you will be offered a support facility to ensure that new arrivals do not have financial difficulties as a result of their traineeship.
A contribution of a maximum of 230 Euros is made towards travel costs from the trainee’s home country to and from Graz. Any travel invoices should be therefore be kept. Normally the reimbursement is made in two instalments – in the first and last month of the traineeship, together with the monthly allowance.
Application
In order to apply for the traineeship, you should fill in the application form and then upload it here. You are asked to describe your language skills in accordance to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. For an explanation on the six levels of proficiency, please, refer to the Council of Europe Language Policy Division’s specific site on the European Language Portfolio (http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/portfolio/default.asp?l=e&m=/main_pages/welcome.html).
The application deadlines are as follows:
- 30 September for the period January to June of the following year
- 31 March for the period July to December and September to February for Administration trainees only.
- 31 March for the period July to December and September to February for Administration trainees only.