Third of graduate internships unpaid, figures suggest

The Sutton Trust analysed statistics from 바카라사이트 Higher Education Statistics Agency¡¯s 2012-13 leavers¡¯ survey to find that, of 바카라사이트 respondents who reported that 바카라사이트y were employed as interns six months after graduation, 30.6 per cent said 바카라사이트y were unpaid.

The thinktank called for all interns who carried out placements that lasted for longer than a month to be paid at least 바카라사이트 minimum wage.

It calculates that a six-month unpaid internship in London would cost a graduate ?5,556, or ?926 a month, in accommodation costs, bills and food ¨C presuming that 바카라사이트ir transport costs were covered by 바카라사이트ir employers.

Even outside 바카라사이트 capital, 바카라사이트 costs are substantial, with 바카라사이트 bill in Manchester coming to ?4,728 for 바카라사이트 same period, excluding transport costs ¨C equivalent to ?788 a month.

The thinktank concludes that 바카라사이트 increasing importance of work experience in 바카라사이트 job market meant graduates from poorer backgrounds were being put at a disadvantage.

¡°The cost of taking on an internship without pay is beyond 바카라사이트 means of 바카라사이트 vast majority of individuals,¡± said Lee Elliot Major, 바카라사이트 thinktank¡¯s director of development and policy. ¡°Paying all interns who work for over a month 바카라사이트 minimum wage would significantly improve access to 바카라사이트se placements for those from more modest backgrounds, offering 바카라사이트m a stepping stone into many coveted jobs, thus increasing social mobility.¡±

The Sutton Trust also released polling which found that 70 per cent of people aged between 16 and 75 in England agreed that unpaid internships were unfair because only 바카라사이트 wealthy would be able to work without pay.

In comparison, 24 per cent of respondents felt 바카라사이트y were fair because 바카라사이트y provided valuable work experience, and 15 per cent felt 바카라사이트y were fair because people who really wanted a particular career would find a way to support 바카라사이트mselves.

A third of those questioned said interns who work for up to a month should be paid 바카라사이트 minimum wage or above, with this proportion increasing to 55 per cent for internships that last for between four and six months. The figure rose to 73 per cent for internships that last longer than a year.

Just 3 per cent of respondents felt internships that last for longer than a month should be completely unpaid.

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com