Amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, many graduating UK university students saw their job prospects diminish as job applications were halted or withdrawn due to the virus. Yet, for students looking for job experience applying for virtual internships and apprenticeships could be the way to go. As part of the UK Government’s Plan for Jobs, employers have been given £2,000 for each new apprentice they hire under the age of 25, which is on top of the £1,000 payment the Government already provides for new 16-18-year-old apprentices. The initiative was updated in 2021.
While the over 160 higher education institutions in the UK are facing an uncertain future, the UK government’s intention to support apprenticeships and internship programs is promising to recently graduated university students. Along with the additional funds to employers, the UK government also this month announced other ways they will be encouraging hiring:
- A new £2 billion Kick-start Scheme to create hundreds of thousands of new, fully subsidised jobs for young people across the country;
- £17million is being invested to increase participation in the UK’s sector-based work academies, to upskilling job seekers to fill locally identified vacancies;
- A Job Retention Bonus – a one-off payment of £1,000 to UK employers for every furloughed employee who remains continuously employed through to the end of January 2021; and
- The Government is providing £111 million to support school and college leavers at risk of becoming unemployed to do a fully funded optional extra year of study.
In addition to the incentives, large companies such as Google, EY, Goldman Sachs, Deloitte, etc. are pivoting to offer virtual internships and “continuing with their planned intake, albeit under difficult circumstances,” Martin Birchall, managing director of High Fliers Research, told the Financial Times in May. In conjunction with optimistic recruiting at bigger companies, career services staff can advocate for the students that have been detrimentally impacting by the virus such as those from low-income or disadvantaged backgrounds who are disproportionally impacted by economic downturns due to lack of connections, slow internet access, and more.
With Symplicity CSM, career services staff can continue help students adapt to a changing work landscape as they search for virtual internships and apprenticeships opportunities. With Symplicity CSM , career services staff can continue to ensure that they stay connected with vulnerable students by advocating for inclusive workplaces for virtual internships and apprentices to ensure that students don’t fall through the cracks. Additionally, Symplicity CSM provides students with the tools and connections they need to enhance their employability while preparing to succeed in today’s job market whether they are looking for a full-time job or a virtual internship or apprenticeship. Not only does CSM provide students with the largest employer network, but it is uniquely equipped to enable to staff to measure and report on critical KPIs around student engagement, streamline student and employer outreach, and run robust OCR and experiential learning programs.
For those interested in learning more about CSM, schedule a conversation with us or email info@symplicity.com.
