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• Internship or traineeship : courses for students at the end of their studies Practical life
or just after graduation, carried out in large companies for periods from one
week to twelve months, sometimes during the summer holidays. This type of
course is very flexible and has no legal status.
• Graduate program: professional experience offered to young graduates after
a long, fairly selective, recruitment programme (interviews, assessments,
tests). The idea here is to identify future executives, place them in successive
different positions and train them.
• Consortium model : three or four courses lasting twelve weeks in different
businesses.
• Job shadowing: short-term, unpaid observation sessions.
• Work experience program: designed for job seekers.
Longer courses (between one and nine months) take an increasing importance in
higher education with the perspective of a position in a company at the end of the
course.
Duration and contract: the duration of a course must be less than one year. A weak
point of courses in the United Kingdom could be their uneven quality. To overcome
this, the signature of a contract is recommended, in the form of a convention which
sets out the different terms (projects, working time, remuneration, insurance,
responsibilities). Sometimes, a simple letter of offer (offer letter) constitutes a
work contract.
For an example of a course contract in English for students, refer to Key Point 7:
administrative steps, at the beginning of this booklet:
Rights of trainees 2016). The attraction of foreign investors is explained by low labour costs. The rules
The rights of trainees depend on their status: employee, worker with a contract of
work or student.
Remuneration: the possibility of being remunerated depends on the company,
the sector of activity and also on the duration. That said, many longer courses
are paid. To sum up, a trainee considered as an employee or worker is entitled
to the minimum wage but if the course forms part of a study curriculum and is
mandatory, there is not necessarily any remuneration. Outside studies, courses
are considered to be work, as opposed to volunteering. In the course of the studies,
they are governed directly by the educational establishments connected with the
professional branches. In this case, they may be accompanied by benefits (meals,
transport, financial contribution).
When paid, courses are at minimum wage level: £4.05/hour (< 18 years) to £7.50/
hour (< 25 years); but some companies pay the national average, being £8.45 per
hour (£9.75 in London)
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The United Kingdom is a country where the cost of living is high overall for the
students. s
Accommodation: the offer is very wide, but is expensive, particularly in London
where rents can be multiplied by two, or even five when compared to other cities
(allow 650€ minimum).
For young people between 18 and 25 years old already in London: www.
centrecharlespeguy.com
University residences during the summer (student halls):
www.venuemasters.co.uk, www.goodmanbuac.com, universityrooms.co.uk
In emergencies, Youth Hostels: www.yha.org.uk - ish.org.uk
Apartments are often furnished (furnished flat), and flat-sharing is very common
(flat sharing). In all cases, it is better to sign a rental contract (tenancy agreement).
The cost of water is high, except in Scotland, unlike telephones, gas and electricity.
Finally, an adapter is necessary for electric sockets.
Tips on finding a course and useful sites
The French are much appreciated for work in the hospitality-restaurant sector.
Applications
Advice on successful interview techniques, drafting a CV and covering letter and
models: www.prospects.ac.uk, www.thegraduate.co.uk
Advice for job-seeking: www.e4s.co.uk
In French: www.cadremploi.fr/editorial/actualites/actu-emploi/detail/article/
comment-faire-son-cv-en-anglais.html
The employment situation
The employment rate has increased in the United Kingdom (74.6% at the end of
which will apply following Brexit are awaited on this point.
Office for National Statistics: www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket
Finding a course
Organizations use their web sites and social networks to make offers. For students,
it is advisable first to consult the French institution to find whether there are
existing agreements with companies.
÷ The Government site contains basic offers of courses for students holding a
Bachelor's degree (licence): www.gov.uk/find-internship
÷ The British Council (www.britishcouncil.org) makes offers for the summer.
Lists of businesses are accessible via:
÷ The French Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain:
www.ccfgb.co.uk/membership/search-for-members
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