Raising the standard of student work experience

The Work Experience Standard and Good Practice Guide has been launched at the AGCAS Annual Conference to ensure students are offered high-quality work experience opportunities

As the economy suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic many became concerned over the proliferation of exploitative work opportunities such as unpaid internships. These internships often favour students from affluent backgrounds as they are more able to work for free. In addition to the legal and ethical issue, data also suggests these opportunities aren't as valuable as paid ones.

For example, Prospects' Early Careers Survey 2022 found that a greater proportion of students who did a paid internship/placement said their experience was 'very useful' at developing their skills (48%) compared with those who did unpaid work (36%). Individuals who did paid work were also more likely to say their experience improved their career prospects (42%) than those who did unpaid work (30%). 

In response to these concerns, the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS) formed a cross-sector group, chaired by the AGCAS Director for Social Mobility. The group, which consists of a number of university representatives, employer representatives and individuals from other sector organisations, worked together to identify ways to improve the quality of work experience.

This led to the creation of the Work Experience Standard, which outlines the minimum requirements that the group expect to be met in order for in-scope opportunities to be advertised to students through higher education institutions. Information about the objectives and requirements can be found on the AGCAS website.

The group also produced a Good Practice Guide for employers to aspire to in student and graduate work experience.

AGCAS is currently asking their member Career Services and employers to adopt the Work Experience Standard and Good Practice Guide. They are also invited to show their support by endorsing the Standard.

Written by

Laura Greaves

Information analyst

Prospects