FDM speaks out against revelation that half of student internships are still unpaid

FDM speaks out against revelation that half of student internships are still unpaid
 
The UK’s largest IT graduate employer, FDM Group, has spoken out against the theory that almost half of all student internships are still unpaid.
 
The results of a survey conducted by Graduate careers website, Prospects, has revealed that a large proportion of UK students are still undertaking work placements without being paid.
 
The survey, which targeted 22,000 UK graduates between 2006 and 2010, revealed that of the 70% of students that had secured some form of work experience, 43% didn’t receive a wage.
 
FDM Group Recruitment Manager, Madeleine Field, said, “Not paying students for work that has been beneficial to a company is simply unjust and breeds contempt amongst a generation of students and graduates that is already suffering.”
 
The alarming statistics come after a period of debate, which saw the Trades Union Congress (TUC), backed by the government and numerous employers’ institutes, publish the first best code of practice for high quality internships.
 
The document states that interns, who are contributing to a company, have a set list of duties and working hours and are undertaking placements of six weeks or more, should be paid the minimum wage.
 
However National Minimum Wage legislation offers certain employers a loophole by excluding internships undertaken by those in full time education.
 
Therefore it can be argued that the decision to pay a student intern, still rests firmly in the hands of employers.
 
The UK’s largest IT graduate employer, FDM Group, believes strongly in rewarding hard work at all levels and has spoken out against this latest data.
 
Despite recruiting 1,000 graduates this year alone, FDM has also extended its support to students this year by recruiting a record number of undergraduate interns.
 
Work placements were offered in the departments of HR, marketing, recruitment and events and as well as providing undergraduates with valuable commercial experience, FDM also supplied its interns with competitive rates of pay.
 
Madeline Field said, “We strongly believe in valuing all of our members of staff at all levels and providing interns with a suitable wage is all part of this commitment. Our interns take on real tasks and roles and should be paid accordingly, whether they are technically still in full time education or not.”