Reinforced quality framework for traineeships

Summary:

The aim of the two proposals, discussed in this briefing, was to improve the use, quality of, and access to traineeships across the EU. In line with the 'evaluation first' principle, the impact assessment (IA) accompanying the two proposals was prepared after the evaluation. Its intervention logic captures the problem, the specific objectives and the internal drivers well. However, more attention could have been devoted to the external drivers. The IA describes the areas and the policy options alongside the accompanying measures. The range of policy options and measures is broad but not all of them seem feasible. In addition, the relationship between the elements presented in the problem tree is difficult to follow. The IA assesses the impacts of the initiative from an economic, social and fundamental rights' point of view, and also mentions territorial impacts. Overall, it provides a broad quantitative and qualitative assessment of impacts and identifies those Member States that are most likely to be affected, yet does not go into much depth in quantifying the effects of specific measures. As the two proposals are highly relevant for SMEs, a comprehensive SME test and a competitiveness check were carried out. The IA and its annexes address data limitations and uncertainties in a transparent manner.

This briefing is part of the series Initial Appraisal of a European Commission Impact Assessment.

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