Council Decision (EU) 2016/1352 CHAPTER VI — National experts in professional training

General provisions and definitions

Article 31

NEPTs are SNEs who are admitted to the Agency for professional training purposes.

Purpose of the professional training

Article 32

1.   The purpose of the professional training is to: (a) give NEPTs experience of the Agency's working methods and projects; (b) enable them to gain practical experience and understanding of the day-to-day work of the Agency and to give them the opportunity to work in a multicultural, multilingual environment; (c) enable staff of national administrations, from the Ministry of Defence in particular, to put into practice the knowledge they have acquired in their studies, particularly in their respective areas of responsibility. 2.   For its part, the Agency benefits from the input of people who can offer a new point of view and up-to-date knowledge which will enrich the daily work of the institution and build up a network of people with direct experience of its procedures.

Eligibility

Article 33

The provisions of Article 2, with the exclusion of paragraph 3, shall apply by analogy to NEPTs.

Duration of the professional training

Article 34

1.   The professional traineeships shall last between three and 24 months. The duration shall be fixed at the outset and may be extended for duly justified reasons within a maximum period of 24 months. 2.   A NEPT may complete only one professional traineeship.

Organisation of professional training

Article 35

Throughout their professional traineeship, NEPTs shall be supervised by a training advisor. The training advisor must inform the HR Unit of any significant incidents during the professional traineeship, in particular absences, illness, accidents or interruption, which he knows of or has been informed of by the NEPT. NEPTs shall obey instructions given by their training advisor, their superiors in the Directorate or service to which they are seconded and the HR Unit. NEPTs shall be allowed to attend meetings, unless they are restricted or confidential and the NEPT has no security clearance, to receive documentation and to participate in the activities of the department to which they are seconded.

Suspension of the professional traineeship

Article 36

At the written request of the NEPT or his employer, and with the latter's prior agreement, the Chief Executive of the Agency may authorise a very brief suspension of the professional traineeship or its early termination. The NEPT may return to complete the remaining period of the professional traineeship, but only up until the end of that period. Under no circumstances may the traineeship be extended.

Working conditions and remuneration

Article 37

1.   Articles 2(3), 3, 5, 18, 19 and 20 shall not apply to NEPTs. 2.   NEPTs shall be regarded as cost-free SNEs within the meaning of Chapter IV. They shall continue to be paid by their employer without any financial compensation being paid by the Agency. The Agency shall not accept requests for grants or fees or the reimbursement of travel or other expenses other than the reimbursement of mission expenses incurred as part of the professional traineeship.

Reports and certificate of attendance

Article 38

NEPTs who have completed the stipulated professional training period shall complete the evaluation reports requested by the HR Unit at the end of their traineeship. Training advisors shall also complete the relevant evaluation report. Subject to the completion of those reports, NEPTs who have completed their professional traineeships shall receive a certificate showing the dates of the professional training and the department in which it took place.

Article 39

NEPTs shall not be included in the staff establishment plan. Nevertheless, for transparency and information purposes, their number shall be reported to the Steering Board as part of the Chief Executive's annual reporting.