16 March 2010In Graduates
Accountancy graduates should be wary of being taken on as an intern due to the risk of exploitation, it has been suggested.
According to the Trades Union Congress (TUC), some employers are using the temporary placements unfairly and "ripping people off".
Speaking to the BBC, TUC spokesman Paul Sellers explained that some firms seem to be unaware of minimum wage legislation and that graduates should take care when agreeing to an internship.
HireScores.com spokesperson Lisette Howlett added that situations in which firms are "taking ad hoc interns from their local college and using them in lieu of giving a permanent job to someone" are unlikely to benefit anyone.
However, she suggested that internships were still useful for students as they are a good way to pick up work experience in their chosen industry.
Ms Howlett said that those who have to carry out an internship as part of their course are most open to exploitation.
