Department for Enterprise launches Summer Internship Programme

The Department for Enterprise has announced that it is launching a Summer Internship Programme focused on individuals aged 18 - 25. The programme is one of the first initiatives to be supported under the £100m Economic Recovery Fund that was announced by Treasury Minister Alfred Cannan MHK in his budget update to July’s Tynwald.

The internship programme will be led by Business Isle of Man, an Executive Agency of the Department for Enterprise, and will provide full wage support at a weekly rate of £256 per week for individuals to undertake work placements with businesses, third sector and other organisations. Placements will last for an average of 6 weeks, with flexible options for them to run for shorter or longer periods if required, based on project availability and study commencement dates.

Organisations will be matched with young people and students who are looking to gain real world work experience, build their CV and develop interpersonal skills.

Minister for Enterprise, Laurence Skelly MHK, commented:

‘Internships are proven to deliver huge benefits, both for the individual and the business involved. With the Department for Enterprise’s STEP Graduate Programme cancelled this year, we saw the need to provide our undergraduates, students and young people with an alternative opportunity to gain work experience, whilst acknowledging the recruitment limitations that many businesses are experiencing during this challenging time.

‘The ability for the Isle of Man to respond to the immediate impact of the coronavirus pandemic was made possible by the efforts of our people and the strength of our economy. Our challenge now is to ensure that we continue to support our people and our economy to build on that strength for the future.

‘As a Government, we are committed to initiating new work and moving forwards quickly towards a strong future economy. The Summer Internship Scheme will provide direct opportunities for our young people to improve their employability and skills for the future, as well as support businesses with additional resource to help with specific projects or coronavirus recovery work’

The Programme will provide provision for individuals to take part in the scheme and there will be no cost to businesses and organisations to take part, however they will need to provide information on the scope and aims of each project and provide a line manager for students for the duration of their placement. Placements could focus on a wide range of business functions, such as website development, undertaking research work, setting up an IT system, social media audits or graphic design projects.

Further information for individuals and businesses and forms to sign up for the programme are available now from www.businessisleofman.com/internships