Internships
Vocational Training, Internships and Work Experience programmes are essential in order to gain experience and add value to your CV.
By undertaking a period of work experience you are illustrating to a potential employer your willingness to work as part of a team and your ability to be flexible, adaptable and brave, we call it the "FAB" principal . The Training Partnership team are able to place students into a variety of vocational sectors. The programmes can last from 3 weeks to 30 weeks, language training is optional and not compulsory.
We have successfully placed in excess of 5000 students in the last 9 years. The Internships were either paid or unpaid depending upon the sector and requirement of the student or sending organisation.
ARE YOU FAB - FLEXIBLE - ADAPTABLE & BRAVE - ENOUGH TO UNDERTAKE AN INTERNSHIP - WORK PLACEMENT
Unpaid Internship
Unpaid internships are usually chosen by students who are still in education or have just left education, this type of placement is for the purpose of understanding how work is conducted in the UK, and enables you to improve your ability to speak English, understand our work ethic and experience cultural diversity. Students must be prepared to fund / pay for their entire stay in the UK. Many of our students are funded by the Leonardo da Vinci Mobility programme.
Unpaid internships sectors include
- Human resources
- Secretarial & administration
- Information technology & web design
- Marketing
- Manufacturing
- Import - export, foreign trade
- Engineering*
- Graphics & design
- Environmental studies
- Health care & pharmaceuticals*
- Tourism & leisure
- Hotel, catering & hospitality
- Communications
- Finance and Banking*
- Ecology and Environmental
*Please note that sectors marked * require a minimum of 8 weeks notice
What to expect from your UNPAID Internship
Before you arrive
Before you arrive in the UK you will be sent an information voucher which details the name and address of your internship provider. We also inform you of the Work Placement company’s website so you can undertake research before arriving.
Welcome Meeting
All students are given a Welcome Meeting within 48 hours of arrival, at this meeting you will be told what day and time you will start work, the name of our member of staff who will collect you from your accommodation.
Our Student Welfare Officer will tell you all about the life in the UK and explain about cultural differences. If you have any questions about your internship we will be pleased to answer them. The journey to your internship would be a good time to ask any last minute questions you may have, so make a list and just ASK.
Your first day at work
- On your first day you will be taken by car to your Internship.
- You will be formally introduced to your Supervisor and other members of staff. You will NOT be expected to do too much on your first day maybe even your first week.
- Your Internship Provider / Supervisor will watch you during the first few days. When he / she has assessed your abilities and language skills you will be asked to undertake certain tasks. Your Supervisor first needs to establish your range of skills.
- Remember, although you will be nervous your colleagues and Supervisor will probably also feel a little bit shy and even nervous about speaking to you in English.
- Make sure you ask your colleagues to show you the way to walk home or the number of the bus you must take to go home.(take your map with you at all times)
- It is very important that you are well dressed on your first day. This means NO jeans or trainers (unless otherwise stated on your information voucher).
- First impressions are extremely important, so create the right impression on the first day.
- For females it is important that you do not wear short (above the level of your knees) skirts, low cut blouses or shirts are also not acceptable.
- If you are NOT properly dressed we will not be able to take you to work and will have to arrange another start time for you.
IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU ALWAYS CONTACT THE TRAINING PARTNERSHIP FIRST NOT YOUR WORK PLACEMENT OR THE ORGANISATION THAT HAS SENT YOU TO THE UK.
If you experience problems in your Internship or if you have any worries please contact your Internship Officer at The Training Partnership. We will arrange an appointment to meet with you and discuss the matter. Problems can usually be resolved very quickly, but only if you inform us first. We will expect you to continue to go to work until we have had the opportunity to discuss the matter with you.
Hours of work
The UK working hours would usually be from 09.00 – 17.00 (if you work in an office) If you work in a hotel or restaurant you will be asked to work split shifts. For example 07.30 – 11.00 & 18.00 – 22.30.
UK Lunch times
In the UK lunch is taken between 12.00 and 14.00 you will have just 1 hour, most people either take a sandwich with them or buy something from one of the sandwich shops. On your first day please remember to take lunch with you, or enough money to buy a light lunch
Days & Time off
If you are unsure about how much time off you are entitled to please contact The Training Partnership. Our internship Providers can be very flexible so don't be afraid to ask if you require time off.
Internship Monitoring
During your stay we ask you to complete an Evaluation Form. You will be given this document during your welcome meeting. You must complete this document as we will ask for your comments regarding our services. See below
Your first week
Your employers will spend the first week trying to make you feel welcome and observing you. Please do not expect to be doing complicated tasks within your first week.
(Thomas Groffig - German Student) "...I think I was well regarded as an equal member of the staff. I realized that in the end I could carry a considerable portion of the daily work... insight into the daily work in a different country, being able to adapt to different cultures and being flexible enough to cope with different problems emotionally and mentally"
Paid Work Internships
- Paid Internships are normally for students who want to improve their English, usually they have to earn money in order to work and live in the UK.
- The best way to improve your English is socialising with friends or living in a student residence with other nationalities
- Paid work is generally available within the Hotel and Catering, Leisure industry or factories.
- Be warned this type of work is hard and you will be expected to work evenings and weekends. Its a fantastic way to make life long friends from other countries.
- Students who are still in Education arrange their paid internship to coincide with their holidays.
Departments / Jobs in hotel and catering (testimonials)
- Waiter/Waitress
- Kitchen Porter
- Housekeeper
- Bar Person
- Porter/Bell person
- Chef/Cook
- Cleaner
Hours of work:
Everyone should expect to work split shifts; this means is that you work a breakfast shift and an evening shift during the week (Monday – Friday) and at weekends (Saturday & Sunday). (shift means a period of time)
For example a typical 7 day week could be as follows:
| DAY |
MORNING |
LUNCH |
DINNER
|
TOTAL
|
|
Monday
|
OFF
|
OFF
|
OFF
|
0
|
|
Tuesday
|
07.00 – 10.30
|
OFF
|
18.00 – 22.00
|
7.5
|
|
Wednesday
|
07.00 – 11.00
|
OFF
|
18.00 – 22.00 |
8
|
| Thursday |
OFF
|
OFF
|
OFF
|
0
|
|
Friday
|
07.00 – 10.30
|
OFF
|
18.00 – 22.30
|
8
|
|
Saturday
|
OFF
|
OFF
|
17.30 – 22.30
|
5
|
|
Sunday
|
07.30 – 11.00
|
12.00 – 15.00
|
OFF
|
6.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
35 hours
|
Dress code:
- First impressions are extremely important!
- It is very important that you are well dressed on your first day; do NOT wear jeans or trainers (unless otherwise stated on your information voucher).
- Females it is important that you do not wear skirts higher than knee level, low cut tops are not permitted.
- If you are working as a waiter, waitress or bar person, you will probably be expected to wear ‘black & whites’.
- this consists: black skirt (knee length) or tailored trousers, white shirt or blouse, black flat shoes, black socks (for males) if a female wears a skirt then / stockings should be worn.
- You may be asked to wear a black tie or black bow tie or a waistcoat (both males and females).
- If you are working in a kitchen flat non-slip shoes should be worn. You may even be asked to wear steel toe-capped boots.
- If you are working as a chef then you will be expected to supply your own chef’s whites and toe capped boots
Your first week:
In your first week expect to be trained in the style of service the hotel or restaurant provides, if you listen and learn you will progress to waiting on tables and guests very quickly.
Payment of wages:
It is not always possible for European students to open bank accounts in the UK– Work Placement Providers may choose to pay you by cash or cheque.
If you are paid by cheque you can take it to be cashed at:
Income Tax:
Students must complete a P86 form for tax purposes within 1 week of starting work. If this is completed you will be able to claim your tax back when you leave using a P85.
Home office Workers Registration Scheme: (This is relevant to students from: Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary and Czech Republic)
The Home Office Worker Registration Scheme forms must be completed and received by the Home Office within 1 month of starting work – Original passports, 2 photographs, letter of employment and payment of £50.00 must be sent with the completed application form. It is perfectly normal to send your passports to British Government Offices and your passport will be safe (please do not worry about sending them).
*Please note If you do not complete the forms you will be an illegal worker and your work placement could be fined up to £5000.00. This will also be a police matter.
The Training Partnership are obliged to keep records of changes in your internship or accommodation and need a record of any changes in case The Home Office contact us.
We will need copies of all documents. If you fail to do this we are obliged to inform the Home Office of your internship Details and Accommodation.
Internship Employer:
- Your internship will begin within approximately 3 – 5 working days of your arrival in the .
- Please respect that the company you are working for is a business and they will offer you the hours they need you to work and not the other way around.
- Your social life MUST NOT interfere with your work. If you choose to take additional work with another company then The Training Partnership is not responsible for you within that placement.
- You are reminded that the Internshiprovided by TTPL must take priority with regard to any other employment you take.
- Your Work Placement has agreed to give you a minimum of £100.00 per week averaged over 4 weeks. If you do not complete your tax forms then this amount will not be guaranteed.
- If you wish to leave your Internship you must give at least 3 weeks notice in writing to both The Training Partnership and your Work Placement.
- The Training Partnership will do everything they can to ensure that your internship runs smoothly, we will assist you where ever possible if you have a problem with your work or accommodation.