Training
You have several options if you consider coming to France for a placement. Nevertheless, always keep in mind that a placement in a foreign country remains a period of practical training complementary to academic teaching. It is neither language training nor a temporary job.
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Take part in a training program
LEONARDO DA VINCI is the European Community's vocational training programme. Part of the Leonardo program are work placements for people who need to develop work-related skills in order to become better integrated (or reintegrated) into the workforce. Placements target people in initial vocational training; higher education students; young workers, job seekers and recent graduates. Trainees receive a grant which covers all the costs of the 3 to 9 month-stay, and a language preparation.
EURODYSSEE is an exchange programme of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) which offers young job seekers (aged 18 to 30) from the participating regions the opportunity to carry out a work placement of three to seven months in a business in another participating region. The objective is to allow young people to gain professional experience and to offer them the opportunity to improve their knowledge of a foreign language. Trainees receive a grant and accommodation is arranged for them.
To find out more about this program (participating regions, conditions of participation): www.eurodyssee.net
BILATERAL AGREEMENTS For young workers from Argentina, Bulgaria, Canada, Hungary, Morocco, Poland, Senegal, Slovakia, Romania, Tunisia, New Zealand and the USA.
European institutions (European Commission and Parliament, Council of Europe) offer a few training opportunities, paid or unpaid. Some of them are in based France (Strasbourg), like the European Parliament and the European ombudsman. You can also apply for an internship at the French offices of international organizations: UNESCO, OECD.
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Go on your own
INTERNSHIP
CONTRACTS: A FRENCH SPECIFICITY
In France, by law,
internships must be part of a learning activity (French Official Journal dated
26 August 2010).
It is compulsory to sign an internship contract called "une convention de stage",
whether the internship is part of a training course or optional.
The contract should be signed by the intern's school, the intern to-be, and the
company. It contains the commitment and the responsibilities of each of the
parties. The school must define objectives for the internship, check what the
internship involves and prepare the student. The student commits to the company
to "fullfill his/her mission" and to "respect the company's rules". The company
must "provide the intern with the necessary means to fullfill his/her missions
successfully". It must also guide the intern and deliver a certificate for the
internship.
Schools provide internship
contracts.
Why
are internships not allowed if not part of a training process?
Because an
internship can be:
- A
hidden job (an intern should not replace an employee, do the same work, and
earn far less).
- Undeclared
work. In that case, the employer does not pay URSSAF, which contributes to the
social security, which means that you are not protected in the case of an
accident or sickness.
An internship abroad is a practical experience which aims at adding to your
academic training. It is not a language course or a temporary job.
A Spanish intern in Amiens
(Picardie)
Key: Naira Rodrigo
Ojeda is a Eurodyssey intern at the International Affairs Department of a
school: "Sup de Co". She tells about her professional and personal
experience there.
Duration: 4'11
Language: Spanish, French subtitles
Source: www.onisep.fr - More campus videos.
INTERNSHIPS
WHICH LAST MORE THAN 2 MONTHS: MONEY REWARDS ARE COMPULSORY
In the case of an internship which lasts more than two months in a row, the intern
must receive a money reward. The amount can be calculated according to a branch
convention, a professional agreement, or by law.
A bonus is not a salary.
In 2010, the amount per hour was 2,75 € (417,09 € per month, for a 35 hour
week).
The company should cover any missions away from the company and/or buy specific
equipment involved.
It is not compulsory for the company to cover restaurant vouchers and contribute to
commuting costs. If the company covers them, they are provided extra and
distinctly from the money reward.
Note: Young people aged between 16 and 18 can make an internship in France, but
they are not allowed to work more than 8 hours a day.
|
More info on the Reference law: Décret n° 2008-96 |
HOW TO
FIND AN INTERNSHIP
In the
framework of bilateral agreements
These
agreements are aimed at young people from the following countries: Argentina, Bulgaria,
Canada, Hungary, Morocco,
Poland, Senegal, Slovakia,
Romania, Tunisia, New Zeeland, United States.
France signed bilateral agreements with these countries which allow each year
young foreign professionals aged from 18 to 35 to come to France for a
temporary stay. Candidates must have a good knowledge of French and know about
the company which they will join. They also have to prove that their position
in France is in their field of studies and will have an added value for their
career.
The contract can last from 3 to 12 months and be renewed for an extra 6 months.
More information:
Office français de l'immigration et de l'intégration (OFII)
Accueil > S'informer > Dispositifs > Se tourner vers les jeunes
www.immigration-professionnelle.gouv.fr/formulaires-sp%C3%A9cifiques/jeunes-professionnels?highlight=jeunes%2Bprofessionnels
Internship
with an international organisation
European
institutions offer a limited number of paid or unpaid internship opportunities.
Some of these institutions, such as the European Parliament, the European
Ombudsman or the Council of Europe have their headquarters in France (Strasbourg).
You can
also apply with international organisations which are based in Paris: UNESCO,
OECD or the UN.
More
information on:
http://europa.eu/epso/
www.unesco.org/
www.oecd.org/
www.un.org
In the
framework of a European programme
Programmes
such as Erasmus work placements, Leonardo da Vinci and Grundtvig can give you
an opportunity to make a work experience in France. Contact relevant
organisations in your country.
Finding
an internship by yourself
In
order to be successful, check the following:
- Start looking 6 months in advance
- Evaluate your level in French
- Prepare a list of assets and competences which you can offer the company
- Define the contents and the duration of the internship, suggest a mission for
your internship
- Find information on French companies and economic situation : www.pole-emploi-international.fr/ > Information Living & working in France
- Adapt your CV and covering letter in French and according to French ways. Handwrite
your covering letter and specify the legal framework of your internship (part
of your studies or not, contract or not).
- Check formalities to enter France:
www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/france_829/venir-france_4062/entrer-france_4063/index.html
Please note that students from the EU do not need a visa. They only need a "residence
permit" if their internship exceeds 3 months. Students from other countries may
need a visa, depending on bilateral agreements between their country and France.
Last
advice: Make sure you have enough money to cover your costs during your stay
because interns mostly get little or no money.
- Useful websites
Business
directories:
www.bottin.fr Business directory
www.kompass.fr Business directory - French and foreign companies
www.wayp.com/ Online
professional and business directory
www.europages.fr Directory of 500 000 companies,
which covers all sectors and more than 30 European countries.
www.wayp.com/
(Yellow pages worldwide).
Internship
offers:
www.infostages.com/
www.kapstages.com/
www.infostages.com/
www.recrut.com/
www.emploi.org/
www.lerucher.com/
www.keljob.com
Choose Stage
www.en-stage.com/
www.planistage.com
www.hobsons.fr/
www.monster.fr
www.eurostage.org/
www.letudiant.fr
www.jobscampus.com/
www.afij.org
www.centraljob.fr/emploi/offres/stages.html
www.europages.fr/
www.actufax.com
www.agriplanete.com/
www.emploi.org/redir.php?go=http://www.oekojobs.de/fr/accueil/
www.distriweb.com
www.cortex-culturemploi.com/
Note: French press very rarely puiblishes offers for internships.
Two
interns in Paris
Key:
An intern with a foreign press association and an intern with an art gallery
share their impressions on life in Paris.
Duation: 3'02
Language: English
Source: www.youtube.com