According to LinkedIn, there were upwards of 700 internships available in the UK this summer alone. Alternating between academics and getting experience in a company helps students to better understand the world of work and facilitates professional integration. It also allows students to earn a salary and become more independent. But how does this type of training work?
Here is everything you need to know about the internship contracts!
There are different levels of work you can be looking for, so make sure you know the right terms before you commit to looking for an internship. Here are the differences between an internship, apprenticeship and traineeship:
| Agreement Type | Description | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Internship | More common, short-term work usually not involving classroom work | 2 months – 1 year |
| Traineeship | Education and training programs usually to prepare you for an apprenticeship | 6 weeks – 6 months |
| Apprenticeship | Longer term, hands-on work usually involving classroom training | 1 year + |
Our Top 15 Benefits of Internships!
“Those with internship experience are more likely to find jobs and earn more.” – GOV.UK
Internships offer many advantages to students by offering them initial training in a field. In particular, they can get a very concrete idea of the profession to which they aspire. Interns often enter the job market while continuing their studies. They then combine the reality of the field with theoretical courses from their classrooms.
This experience allows students to discover different sectors within the same career. For example, if the work-study programme is in the field of media and communications, the student can work in the communications department of a municipality, a company or an association.
One benefit is that internship students are paid a salary which allows them to be more financially independent from their parents.
The internship contract also allows:
- To better understand the theoretical courses,
- Find a job more easily after the internship,
- Gaining maturity,
- Take advantage of the dual employee/student status,
- To have a dynamic study rhythm,
- Getting real-world help to attain a degree,
- Receive other financial support for interns.
This pathway is increasingly recognised and is highly valued by future employers.
Finding an internship can sometimes be an uphill struggle. However, with a few tips, it is possible to get a job as an intern fairly quickly.
Students should first prepare their applications. It is essential to know which direction to take when submitting your CV and cover letter. There are tons of resources out there that can help you prepare these!
Once the CV and cover letter have been submitted, future interns can go directly to the company websites to apply. This shows motivation and interest in the company. This attention is sometimes noticed and appreciated by recruiters.
To find an internship contract, it is also possible to use social networks such as LinkedIn. This professional social network broadcasts job offers to which it is possible to respond directly. LinkedIn also allows you to contact companies or recruiters directly.
Other ways of finding an internship include using the school's network, approaching friends and family, and using work-linked job boards.
Are Internships in the UK Paid?
As an intern, students are not only students but also employees. As such, they receive a salary. However, this varies according to the employment status of the intern.
Sometimes, a legitimate internship can be called a work placement or have the phrase “work experience” in them. Please bear in mind that these terms actually don’t hold any legal status.
When looking for an internship, you are entitled to the National Minimum Wage if they are a worker. In order to get the National Minimum Wage, they must be at least school leaving age.
However, if you are 23 or older, you are entitled to the National Living Wage.
So you may be wondering, in what cases do interns not earn the national minimum? There are four exceptions that are laid out on the government’s website for employment rights for interns:
- If students are fulfilling a required internship as part of their higher education course
- If it’s a work experience placement and you’re under 16
- If it’s for a charity or other voluntary organization
- If the work that you do only allows you to observe (shadow) an employee but not carry out any actual work
In addition to the salary, interns often benefit from financial aid, such as help in getting universal credit or help directly from your university. Other assistance is available depending on the region.
How to Find an Internship, Apprenticeship or Traineeship in the UK
Finding and attaining work experience as a young person depends on the degree the intern wishes to obtain and their geographical location.
If you’re a student between the ages of 14 and 19, you might be interested in finding an apprenticeship. You should always try to find an apprenticeship that meets all the appropriate qualifications. At least 20% of the working hours of an apprenticeship should be dedicated to studying.
If you are interested, there is a 16 to 19 Bursary Fund that will help you with education-related costs and is taking any sort of training course, which includes any unpaid work opportunity. Note that schemes differ depending on whether you live in the UK, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
If you’re looking for a traineeship, you can look for one directly on the UK government’s websites for traineeships. This is a great opportunity if you’re looking for a work placement, need help getting a job and more!
If you want an internship, you should take advantage of the many job boards available. As with any job, these job boards might vary depending on the job sector you’re looking at. Typically, these are a great places to start:
- Indeed
- Glassdoor
- UK Gov
Talking to former students is also a good way to get real feedback on the job itself and not just the advertisement that the company or organisation provides.
Don't hesitate to look at the company’s ratings and reviews online.
What Are Some Good Job Boards in the UK for Internships?
Whether you’re looking for business internships in London or just barely getting your CV ready for a new intern application, knowing how to find a job takes its own set of specific skills. Here are some of the best job boards in the UK for internships, regardless of whether you’re an international graduate or open to opportunities in any city.
Gradcracker
This website lists thousands of internship vacancies on its website as well as almost 10,000 graduate opportunities. If you’re new to this whole internship and are barely getting your application ready, they also have degree apprenticeship opportunities and work placements.
Gradcracker is specifically for STEM applications and perfect for people who are looking for opportunities like graduate jobs and working with an international team.
GitHub
If you’re unfamiliar with GitHub, getting familiar with it can help you land that dream internship, whether that be in London, Liverpool, Edinburgh and more!
If you’re interested in vacancies in the Tech sector, you can search GitHub for graduate opportunities in business, banking and more! There are international opportunities that you can find as well as remote vacancies on “Tech Internships by Pitt CSC.”
You can also find a list of international and domestic vacancies on the “EMEA and APAC Summer Internships” list, where you will be redirected with links to different application portals and job descriptions.
Internwise UK
Internwise has, as of September 2022, almost 14,000 active employers offering different internship opportunities in business, tech, fashion, science and more! You can find internships not just located in London but in cities all over the UK.
The Internwise team lists a global network that can help you find your future team. The founding goal of this relatively new job portal is to lower youth unemployment in the UK by connecting a business needing an intern with new and willing applicants!
Acas
If you need to learn some skills on how to land a new internship, look no further than Acas. The Acas team offers free advice to both employees and employers on workplace rights and also on specific skills like template and document templates.
Other Job Boards
There are tons of job boards that are generally the most popular and not specific to internships but all types of jobs. You can find a list of the most popular social networks for jobs here:
- Indeed
- Monster
- Glassdoor
- Reed
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
