EU aims to improve internship rules amid concerns over unequal opportunities for students
Students across various fields are in unequal positions when it comes to internships. In some sectors, internships are often paid, while in others, paid internships are rare. This problem is prevalent across Europe. Now the European Union (EU) aims to improve the rules for internships.
Across the EU, there were over three million interns in 2019, about half of whom received a salary for their internship. In addition to wages, the European Commission initiative proposes improvements to working conditions and measures to combat disguised regular employment relationships as internships.
Internships cannot be replaced with simulations, as the number of internships and their part in the degree is regulated by the EU’s Professional Qualification Directive decided in 2014. For example, according to the directive, at least a third of a nursing degree must include work internships.
Student organizations in Finland, such as Samok, have been working hard to renew the recommendations of the directive. Asta Nieminen, a board member responsible for EU influence at Samok, is hopeful about the discussions being held in the EU. The EU, however, has more opportunities to influence post-study internships, which are often unpaid at the European level. Internships within studies mainly fall under education policy, which is more under the control of individual countries.
In the social and health sector, there is a shortage of internships. Since 2023, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has been paying welfare regions and private social and health sector companies for accepting trainees. Previously, educational institutions paid compensation to welfare regions and companies. The payment is intended to cover the costs of planning the internship, orienting the intern, and providing guidance. The total amount of compensation has been approximately 14.2 million euros per year based on 2020 data.
Universities offer their students internship support, but universities of applied sciences cannot afford to do so. As a result, students from universities of applied sciences are at a disadvantage when applying for the same internships as university students.
Ida Mielityinen, Executive Director of the Rectors’ Council of Universities of Applied Sciences, points out that twice as many students study at universities of applied sciences compared to universities. The cost of a university of applied sciences degree has also halved in ten years. The reasons are funding cuts and simultaneous increases in the number of students. Mielityinen states that the funding situation is becoming catastrophic for universities of applied sciences.