Internship opportunities in the UK have dropped this year, making it harder for students and graduates to obtain work experience. According to a survey by Adzuna, the number of internships has decreased by 30% compared to 2022, with only 3,817 listings in October this year. By this time in 2022, there were nearly 5,500 openings. This sharp decline reflects the broader job market, where vacancies have fallen to their lowest level in three years, and competition for graduate roles is at an all-time high.
James Neave, head of data science at Adzuna, said: “Internships are always competitive, but this year, with fewer spots available, it’s more intense than ever.”
Around 60% of interns secure employment with their host company or in a related industry, and studies show internships can shorten the path to reaching leadership positions by 34%. However, according to data from immersive internship firm Beyond Academy, only 8.7% of UK students participate in formal internships, compared to 21.5% of students in the US. While industries such as defence, energy, and engineering have seen an increase in internships, sectors like IT, finance, and law have significantly scaled back their opportunities.
Unfortunately, many internships are still secured through personal connections, making it particularly challenging for students from lower socio-economic backgrounds to get a foot in the door. A 2020 study by the Sutton Trust revealed that 20% of the 10,000 graduates in internships six months after graduation were in unpaid roles.
To address these challenges, several organisations have launched initiatives to provide opportunities to a wider range of students. For example, Speakers for Schools provides virtual work experience to eliminate financial and geographical barriers, while the 10,000 Interns Foundation creates paid internships for underrepresented groups, including black students, with companies such as the BBC, Morgan Stanley, and Slaughter and May.