Traineeships and youth employment strategies : the Italian case in light of upcoming European reforms

The April 2023 Eurobarometer survey confirms that traineeships are vital for young people’s transition to stable employment, though they can also lead to exploitation. This arises from traineeships being used to disguise actual employment relationships or from their inherent precariousness. While Italy’s 2022 Budget Law tightened traineeship conditions, reform is still ongoing. The lack of common EU legislation poses challenges, despite the 2014 Council Recommendation on “quality traineeships”. The European Commission’s proposal for a Directive aims to ensure quality traineeships across the Union, supported by an enhanced Council Recommendation. This paper assesses the EU’s proposals, highlighting systemic concerns that require further examination.