As UK companies look to expand and diversify recruitment, they’re ramping up their efforts to attract graduates. They’re also turning to another source of future talent – internships. No longer is an intern seen as just someone who runs errands and does the photocopying. From boosting productivity to diversifying your workplace with staff from different age groups, these benefits show how internships – or graduate schemes – are a crucial investment in the future of your business.
Interns bring much-needed energy, curiosity, and new ideas to a workplace. They can also be a key part of achieving diversity in your teams.
As they’re still in school, an intern will be immersed in the latest trends and cutting-edge industry tools that full-time employees might not have the time to research.
This knowledge can spark innovation. The intern might suggest a new piece of software to streamline critical processes. Or have a creative take on a marketing strategy.
You can’t afford to hire a full-time employee for every single task. But you can hire an intern to lighten the load for senior staff.
Of course, an intern’s core job is to learn how your business works. But part of this learning process can include administrative, research, or other essential tasks to support critical projects. An intern will require mentorship, but can provide valuable assistance at a relatively low cost.
And you can give interns autonomy over small day-to-day expenses by providing them with company prepaid cards that allow the businesses to manage costs while developing the intern’s sense of responsibility.
Think of an internship as a trial run for future employment. You get to assess a candidate’s skills, adaptability, and fit within the team.
If the intern impresses, transition them to a permanent role. The company saves both time and recruitment costs. Onboarding will also be much smoother.
An internship signals that your company is invested in developing young talent. This is critical to building a strong employer brand.
A graduate scheme also opens doors to valuable partnerships with universities, training providers, and other educational institutions.
Your company’s reputation for employee development will be a key factor in attracting the best graduates and entry-level professionals.
With interns in the workplace, existing employees are often inspired to step up as mentors, whether formally or informally. This dynamic builds leadership skills and creates a more collaborative environment.
A workplace where teams are invested in growth and development has lasting benefits for company culture.
Internships are a smart, strategic move for businesses. From identifying future hires to building a reputation for nurturing talent, a well-structured graduate scheme or internship is an investment that pays off.
