Students and graduates ‘are being put off work experience’

Posted 19/07/2010

Students and graduates are being put off applying for work placements because they are concerned about having to work unpaid, new research has found.

A poll carried out by the National Council for Work Experience (NCWE) found that 74 per cent of respondents will not apply for an internship this summer because they cannot afford to work for nothing, particularly given rising levels of student debt.

Furthermore, 82 per cent were not aware of any such placements in their home region.

NCWE spokesperson Heather Collier said students and graduates should take part in work experience when they can, as it will give them valuable additions to their CV in competitive times.

‘Work experience continues to be valuable, whether it is paid or not. Ultimately it is down to individuals to decide what their boundaries are to ensure they are not exploited,’ she added.

It was recently reported that one in four graduates from some universities had been left unemployed after finishing their courses last summer.