Traineeships
A traineeship at a company or organisation abroad during your studies, and within a year of graduating.
Erasmus traineeship opportunities (professional)
Students of Vilnius College of Design (VDK) can take part in Erasmus+ traineeship mobility, which lets them gain international work experience, develop professional skills and broaden their career opportunities abroad.
The ERASMUS+ selection for a professional traineeship at a foreign company is announced in December. Second-year students may take part and complete their work placement abroad. An Erasmus+ professional traineeship abroad counts as the work placement (it is included in the diploma supplement and credits are awarded).
Selection
To take part in the Erasmus+ traineeship competition, students complete the application form published in the VDK International Office news. As the competition takes place in December, it is important to follow the published information in time and submit documents by the set deadlines.
During selection, the student’s readiness to undertake a traineeship abroad is assessed, taking into account study results, the relevance of the traineeship field, foreign-language skills and motivation.
The traineeship placement is found independently — students may approach companies or organisations directly, use specialised platforms such as “ErasmusIntern.org”, professional networks (“LinkedIn”) or other job-search channels, as well as VDK partner contacts.
A finally confirmed placement is not required to take part in the selection, but a clearly planned traineeship direction or a connection with a potential host organisation is considered an advantage.
After passing the selection
Selected students, together with the host organisation, prepare and agree a Traineeship Agreement detailing the traineeship objectives, planned activities and intended results. The agreement is submitted to the VDK International Office. Based on this document and the approved funding conditions, a Grant Agreement is prepared for the student, setting the amount and payment of the Erasmus+ grant.
The Erasmus+ traineeship grant is awarded according to the financial agreement and is intended to contribute towards the costs related to the traineeship abroad. Funded traineeship period: 2–3 months.
Reporting on the traineeship mobility
After completing the Erasmus+ traineeship, students must submit documents and complete reporting actions to the VDK International Office within 30 calendar days. After the traineeship you must:
- complete the Erasmus+ participant report (EU Survey), sent automatically by the European Commission to the participant’s email after the traineeship period;
- submit the host organisation’s confirmation of the completed traineeship (Traineeship Agreement / Section to be completed AFTER THE MOBILITY), assessing the activities carried out and results achieved.
Failure to report on the mobility correctly and on time may trigger the obligations set out in the financial agreement, including partial or full repayment of the grant.
Erasmus graduate traineeship opportunities
The ERASMUS+ selection for a graduate traineeship at a foreign company is announced in April. It is open to third-year full-time and fourth-year part-time students planning to go abroad for a traineeship after graduation. An Erasmus+ graduate traineeship offers a chance to gain professional experience in an international environment after studies, apply the knowledge gained during studies and strengthen professional skills. The traineeship takes place within 12 months of graduation and may last 2–4 months.
Selection
To take part in the selection, you must submit:
- a completed Erasmus+ traineeship application;
- a creative-work portfolio;
- a motivation video (up to 5 minutes) presenting the candidate’s motivation and readiness for the traineeship.
Finding a placement is based on the student’s initiative. While a confirmed placement is not required to take part in the selection, it is recommended to have started the search or to have a clear plan for the traineeship direction — this is considered an additional advantage in the selection process.
During selection, candidates’ academic readiness, foreign-language skills, the fit of the planned traineeship with the field of study and motivation to take part in the Erasmus+ programme are assessed. Selection results are announced in June.
After selection, students agree a Traineeship Agreement with the host organisation, which is submitted to the VDK International Office. Based on this document, a Grant Agreement is prepared, under which the Erasmus+ grant is awarded.
Reporting on the traineeship mobility
After completing the Erasmus+ traineeship, graduates must submit documents and complete reporting actions to the VDK International Office within 30 calendar days. After the traineeship you must:
- complete the Erasmus+ participant report (EU Survey), sent automatically by the European Commission to the participant’s email after the traineeship period;
- submit the host organisation’s confirmation of the completed traineeship (Traineeship Agreement / Section to be completed AFTER THE MOBILITY), assessing the activities carried out and results achieved.
Failure to report on the mobility correctly and on time may trigger the obligations set out in the financial agreement, including partial or full repayment of the grant.