Alliance supports BASES stand on graduate internships

The British Association of Sport and Exercise Science (BASES) has today launched the BASES Position Stand on Graduate Internships.

The position stand, supported by Intern Aware, The English Institute of Sport, UK Sport and the Sport and Recreation Alliance, sets out good practice recommendations for the provision of quality graduate internships.

Key is the concept of mutual benefit to the graduate and employer and a guide for establishing the employment status and rights of graduate interns including providing remuneration.

Prof Ian Campbell, chair of BASES commented:

“It is important that graduate internships are not viewed simply as inexpensive labour.

“BASES believes that for most quality sport and exercise graduate internship positions there is an obligation to perform work and a contract or formal arrangement, meaning the intern should be classed as a worker or an employee and is entitled to be paid at least the National Minimum Wage (NMW).

“If employers pay above the NMW, they are more likely to attract higher calibre candidates.”

Tim Lamb, chief executive of the Sport and Recreation Alliance said:

“It’s only fair that these highly-qualified graduates are paid a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.

“Across all industries interns have been getting a raw deal, often working a full working week for long periods of time without so much as expenses to help support themselves.

“In keeping with the ethos of sport it’s only right that we as a sector should stand up for fair play.

“I would urge all our members to support BASES with this initiative as we will be doing ourselves.”

For more information on the BASES position stand on graduate interns visit the BASES website.

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