Are interns paid?
When you are on a Growth Works with Skills Internship you should receive at least the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for your age range, or the National Living Wage (NLW) for those aged 21 and over. As of April 2024, the NMW currently stands at £8.60 for 18-20 year olds, while the NLW is set at £11.44. Some employers pay more than this, however, not all other internships are paid.
The majority of interns are classed as workers and you're only not a worker if you're shadowing someone. If you work set hours, perform the same duties as paid members of staff, meet deadlines, work unsupervised or supervise others, you're classed as a worker.
What are the benefits of becoming an intern?
Our internships help you get ahead in your career by opening doors to new opportunities, giving you hands-on experience, important knowledge, and skills you can use anywhere. Our internships are here to help you succeed in today's job world, they’ll boost your confidence and motivation, all whilst earning a wage for over three months, and gaining great references for future jobs.
Discover all the great things about completing our internships:
Make Industry Connections: helping you meet important people in the field you're interested in. These connections could lead to future job opportunities.
Get Hands-On Experience: and learn by completing real tasks in a real work setting.
This shows employers that you're capable and increases your chances of getting a job.
Show Off Your Skills: and let you use what you've learned in education and in a real job.
This makes your CV look better and makes you more attractive to employers.
Boost Confidence: By facing challenges in a supportive setting and become more confident in what you can do. This helps you take on wider roles and responsibilities in the future.
Improve Communication: by interacting with co-workers, clients and others, helping you to explain your ideas better, work well as part of a team, and make good connections.
Explore Different Careers: by letting you try out different tasks and see what you like best.
Helping you to figure out what you want to do in the future and discover what you're good at.
Earn Digital Badges: for the skills and experience gained during your internship, to show off what you have learned to future employers.
Gain Guidance and Signposting: if you need help or advice while doing your internship and after your internship ends, as you move on to new roles.
The benefits of internships also include:
- Payment, by law the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage depending on your age
- Providing a supervisor who might be able to act as your referee in future job applications.
Will an internship lead to a job offer?
It's true that some employers recruit for permanent roles from their pool of interns but this isn't always the case. Some interns embark upon a placement to solely build their experience, while others do so in the hope of securing a more permanent position. Employers that work with Growth Works with Skills internships always indicate if there is a sustainable job at the end of the Internship.
To increase your chances of a job offer:
- Make a good impression - Always be polite, smartly dressed and willing to take on any tasks.
If you complete a task ahead of time, ask for something else to do - Be enthusiastic - No matter what you're asked to do, show enthusiasm for your work. Demonstrating that you can handle small, repetitive tasks with a positive attitude may inspire your employer to entrust you with bigger projects. Showing an interest in the work that the company does will also leave a good impression
- Demonstrate a willingness to learn - Regularly ask for feedback during your internship. What are you doing well, but more importantly what can you improve upon? Take on board your supervisor's and co-workers’ instruction and advice and apply it to future tasks
- Show appreciation - Once you've completed your internship, send a letter or email of thanks to your supervisor. Thank them for giving you the opportunity and mention elements of the internship that you particularly enjoyed. Wish them luck with future projects and ask them to consider you for any future vacancies, if they have not already offered you a position with them.
To find out more and complete the expression of interest form please click on the link below:
Internships for individuals (growthworkswithskills.com)
Please see links below for transport information
Routes & Times | The Busway - connecting Huntingdon, St Ives & Cambridge
What courses are available?
Search for courses | Cambridgeshire & Peterborough | Growth Works With Skills
Application advice, assessment and interview techniques:
We ask employers to fill their vacancies using alternative methods of recruitment – you will not usually be asked to provide a CV or even need an interview.
When completing your application please remember to:
- Check your contact details and make sure they are accurate
- Be truthful about your abilities and any disabilities/medical considerations, so that we can provide the most appropriate support
- Answer the questions as best you can but don’t worry if you are unsure.
If you are invited for an informal discussion, this may be face to face or a virtual meeting.
Here are some things to remember:
- Make eye contact
- Try to relax
- You may be asked to complete a basic on-line task
- SMILE😊
- Do some research about the company in advance of your meeting – what do they do?
- Have some questions ready to ask – for example, what kind of tasks will I be doing? Is there a dress code? What are the usual hours of work?