These consultations follow a European Parliament resolution to review the regulatory framework under Article 225 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

The Commission is committed to responding with a legislative proposal in the European Year of Skills (related article here). On 6 September 2023, Business Europe responded to the first- stage consultation of social partners on possible action to further improve the quality of traineeships. The employers’ representative stated that "the current Council Recommendation on a European Quality Framework for Traineeships can still play an important role in improving the quality of traineeships and the employability and job prospects of trainees". 

In a context where all sectors of economic activity are experiencing significant labour and skills shortages, Business Europe considers it essential that the Commission's work also examines how to formulate concrete actions to respond to this growing problem.

The European employers’ representative also emphasised the need for member states to maintain flexibility in implementing the existing Recommendation in the context of their individual national industrial relations systems. It recommended to reinforce the existing Recommendation while maintaining its current scope.

Similarly, the European employers' organisation representing the interests of the metal, engineering, and technology-based (MET) industries (Ceemet) expressed that the rules governing traineeship programmes must be addressed and determined at the national level and must take into account established practices and the nature of industrial relations systems.

13 European social partners provided answers in the first phase of consultation, and based on this, the Commission opened the second phase to ask European trade unions and employers about potential actions for the EU, particularly regarding the use, quality, and accessibility of traineeships in the EU.

At the end of the second consultation phase, social partners could either enter into negotiations to reach an agreement, or the Commission would present its proposal on an updated quality framework.