What is the professional integration internship?
We know that finding a job after school can be stressful. 😰 Sometimes we feel a little lost, without knowing where to start or how to stand out to recruiters. Between CVs, cover letters and job searches, the mountain to climb can seem enormous. 🏔️
Fortunately, there is a step designed specifically to support young graduates : the professional integration internship !
Maybe you've heard of it before, but you don't know exactly what it is. Is it a classic internship, a simple administrative appointment or a boring formality? 😅
In this article, we guide you step by step, explain the concept and show you how to make the most of this period to build a solid professional project. ✨
The integration internship: your springboard after studies
After your studies, if you do not immediately find a job, you can register as a job seeker with Forem (Wallonia), Actiris (Brussels) or VDAB (Flanders). This registration triggers a professional integration internship, which lasts about 156 working days (+- 6 months). ⏳
During this period, you must remain active and available on the labour market.
This includes:
Respond to job offers and submit unsolicited applications,
Update your CV and online profile,
Actively collaborate with your Forem advisor.
During this time, you can explore the job market and prepare for your future job, while continuing to receive your Child Benefit.
Support and training: boost your skills
You're not alone! During the integration internship, you will benefit from personalized support adapted to your profile and your objectives. Your advisor will help you clarify your professional project, identify your strengths and determine the actions to be taken to move forward serenely towards employment.
You also have access to targeted training, designed to develop your skills and prepare you for the job market. 🎯
At the same time, you can participate in:
Practical workshops to test new skills,
Volunteering to gain experience and expand your network,
Internships in different sectors to discover what really suits you.
This period allows you to test your ideas, explore your interests and enrich your CV with concrete experiences. You come out more confident, with a better knowledge of yourself, new skills and a clearer professional project.
💡 Tip: write down all your steps and experiences (training courses, workshops, applications, internships) to promote them to future employers and to facilitate your evaluation.
Assessments and allowances: financial security
At the end of the internship, Forem or Actiris carries out two evaluations. ✅
If they are positive and you are under 25 years old, you can apply for integration allowances (formerly "waiting unemployment") from your payment institution (CAPAC or trade union).
These allowances:
Are paid for a maximum of one year
Vary according to your status and family situation
Allows you to continue looking for a job without financial pressure
And don't panic if, after a year, you still haven't found a job: you can always apply for a social integration income from the CPAS in your municipality.
After the internship: focus on your future
The integration internship is a good springboard to move forward serenely towards your future. During this period, you have the opportunity to train, test different sectors and explore the job market at your own pace, without stress or financial pressure.
Whether you choose to apply for your first job, pursue a training course or embark on a personal project, you are ready to take off! 🚀
And if you want to find a meaningful job or internship, check out our offers on Meet My Job : opportunities to learn, grow and contribute to projects that really matter.
[ Version de décembre 2025 ]