Government internship scheme launched

The Government have launched a cross-Whitehall internship scheme as part of their social mobility drive, it was announced yesterday. 

This scheme is part of a set of measures that will also include a new 'compact' with businesses, under which leading firms will promise to open up internships and work experience to youngsters of all backgrounds. 

Access agreements ensuring that all pupils have an equal chance to get to the best universities are another part of the strategy to help create a level playing field in which success is based on what you know, not who you know.

Baroness Warsi, Conservative Party chairman, said: "I believe offering work experience and internships to young people will not just help remove artificial barriers to progression, but organisations themselves will benefit from having access to a much wider pool of talent. I am pleased that the Government is leading the way. These internships have been designed for talented students who wouldn't normally have the opportunity to gain experience in a Whitehall department."

And she added, "These schemes will give students a real start in life by not only providing skills and experiences that they can draw on when looking for jobs but the programmes will broaden their horizons and raise their aspirations."