Host a trainee

Vulcanus in Europe student training programme

Are you a European company willing to host a Japanese trainee? This programme is for you!

Testimonials from former participants

	"ZF SACHS (a division of the ZF GROUP) took part in the VULCANUS programme in 2008. Working with the next generation of Japanese engineers is vital, especially for a global company in the automotive industry. Faced with increazing globalization, European and Japanese business structures are moving closer together. Both regions and cultures share interests in developing future-oriented technologies. To meet these challenges takes a common understanding of actions and common work experience. The Vulcanus programme gives us an excellent platform to create such contacts, for the long term."
Mr. Joachim Koberstein - ZF SACHS, Germany Vulcanus Host Company since 2005
	"We believe that this has been a great opportunity to exchange and understand better the different educational, knowledge, economic and company-cultural backgrounds. We feel that both us and the trainee gained a lot of experience from each other, and have managed to establish a long-term friendship and working relation."
Mr. Janos Szilagyi - Babolna Bio Ltd., Hungary Vulcanus Host Company in 2008

Programme Objective

Through the Vulcanus in Europe programme you can offer a Japanese student an 8-month traineeship within your company, providing you with a valuable addition to your workforce and the trainee with the experience of a lifetime. The Vulcanus in Europe programme has the following objectives:

• To provide EU companies with skilled Japanese students as trainees to help them in the development of their business with Japan;
• To familiarise a pool of future Japanese executives with Europe's business culture, its economic structure and its institutions, so that they will be well-placed to help their future employers in their business relations with Europe.

Background

The programme was launched in 1996 on the initiative of the European Commission and the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) with the purpose of contributing to the improvement and stimulation of industrial cooperation and of improving mutual understanding between Japan and the European Union. The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation is responsible for the actual organisation of the programme.

Who is your trainee?

• Your trainee is chosen from among Japan's best students, either in the third or fourth year of their undergraduate studies or following a postgraduate course in one of the following disciplines: engineering (mechanical, electrical, electronics, civil, nuclear, etc.) / architecture / biology, chemistry, biotechnology, physics / metal materials, ceramics / computer science, telecommunications / production systems....
• The students are selected on the basis of your needs.
• The student's academic record, the opinion of his/her tutors and the student's motivation and ability to adapt are all factors which are taken into consideration in his/her selection. Your company will propose the contents of the traineeship. Should suitable students apply and be selected by the Centre, you will make the final decision as to which of them to accept.
• Before the start of the traineeship the EU-Japan Centre will arrange and fund a 16-week intensive course in the language spoken in your company, giving him/her a working knowledge of the language you have chosen.
• Your trainee will already be generally familiar with European culture, industry and the EU. The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation will organise and fund a seminar in Brussels for this purpose, immediately after the trainee's arrival in Europe.

Eligibility

All EU companies in the industrial sector within the EU are eligible to apply for the Vulcanus in Europe programme, whether or not established business contacts with Japan already exist.

Length, timing and costs of traineeship

You will receive a Japanese student as a trainee for a period of eight months (August 2011 to March 2012).

Your company will be responsible for covering the following costs:

• a contribution of € 6,600, to be paid to the EU-Japan Centre (who will forward this amount to the student), or directly to the student if a direct payment is requested by your national law.
  In both cases the beneficiary shall receive this amount NET of all national taxes.
• national taxes & costs linked with wages, visas, work permits, if applicable

Laws on issues such as visas and social security contribution within the EU are set at national level. Vulcanus is normally exempt from social security contributions. Nonetheless your company will be liable for any further costs arising from applicable law in the Member State in question. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information or assistance.

Traineeship contract

Prior to the trainee's arrival in Europe, i.e. four months before the traineeship begins, you will sign a traineeship contract with the trainee and the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation, which lays down the rights and the responsibilities of all parties.

This website is maintained by the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation. All rights reserved. Last update: 13-03-2010
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