The value of internships and placements
Article Type: Research news From: Education + Training, Volume 51, Issue 3
Research by TMP Worldwide in association with the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) reveals the graduate view on internships, looks at whether internships can boost employment chances in the economic climate and shows what graduates think about the Government’s plans to introduce three month internships to unemployed graduates.
In the depressed graduate jobs market internships, industrial placements or vacation schemes increase prospects of getting a job after university said 76 per cent of students in new TMP Worldwide research. Internships also improve networking skills (63 per cent), team working skills (60 per cent), commercial skills (54 per cent) and a graduate’s ability to demonstrate initiative (54 per cent). However, of the 766 students interviewed, only a quarter (27 per cent) said they had undertaken an internship, industrial placement or vacation scheme, while 73 per cent of all students had no internship experience. Over one fifth (22 per cent) of final year students are leaving university with no formal work experience to add to their CV.
The UK is far behind other European countries and the USA in regards to internship and industrial placement programmes. Although UK students are highly aware of the benefits of these schemes, final year students seem confused about how to apply. 71 per cent said they did not know the timelines for applying, 72 per cent said they did not know what sorts of employers offered these schemes,while 68 per cent said they did not know how to fit these programme in around their studies. Although 44 per cent of 1st and 2nd year students were keen on internships, once again they did not know how to apply.
The full report can be obtained from rebecca.dunstan@flagshipconsulting.co.uk
