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Resolution adopted by the EPP Political Assembly (3

rd
June 2014)
on Internships: An essential part of Higher Education

Today a record number of recent graduates are without a job. They often lack the
work experience required by employers. They cannot relate the importance of their
studies to real life and they often lack basic understanding of the working life. Further,
this means they lack the connections with employers and peers which work
experience provides.

Some good practices of work placement schemes do exist allowing students to gain
work experience or internships during their studies. In some Higher Education
Institutions they can earn course credits for a written report on their internship
organised by the education provider. Other courses require the student to spend a
whole year working in the related industry in addition to their studies before they can
graduate.

By integrating internships into education, the student becomes eligible for financial
aid, enabling more students to do internships.

However, unfortunately many students do not have this opportunity to complement
their academic studies and are left with little practical experience of the study field
on their graduation. It is important to respect the autonomy of universities and allow
them to develop internships suiting their educational profile.



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We, the European Peoples Party (EPP):

Encourage HEIs to support work experience as a part of the course by providing
relevant internship opportunities, by ensuring support during the internship
periods and by recognising the internships with European Credit Transfer
System credits.

Call for the creation of a system by which the academicals value of an internship
can be measured by

Recognising that internships are a relevant part of the studies, but should not
be a requirement to graduate for all courses.

Encourage a better match between higher education and the demands of the
labour market, both before and after graduation, and cooperation with the aim
of improving students knowledge of the working life.

HEIs to encourage students to do internships abroad by informing about the
open internship positions and by creating and improving international
internship and exchange programs.

HEIs to acknowledge relevant work performed during the courses as internship
periods.

The removal of legal and bureaucratic barriers obstructing students from
entering the labour market through internships or temporary employment.

Member States to adopt a written work experience training agreement, similar
to a contract, with clearly defined and measurable learning objectives for the
student. This agreement would be between the employer, the intern and their
faculty or university internship coordinator.