Unpaid intern who sued Sony settles for £4,600
An intern who worked for Sony for three months without pay settled a dispute with the company for £4,600 after suing for unpaid wages. Chris Jarvis reported Sony to authorities when the company refused to pay him minimum wage for testing 3D games artwork, arguing he was a volunteer. Sony settled before tribunal, though Jarvis declined their request for a gagging order.
Death of bank intern raises concern over working hours
A 21-year-old Bank of America intern in London died after working 72 hours straight, raising concerns about extreme working hours in banking internships. Moritz Erhardt collapsed in his shower following days of working until 6am, reigniting criticism of intern exploitation and unsustainable work practices in the industry.
News: Internships in London ‘out of reach’ of young people
A new study finds that 78 percent of young people aged 18-34 cannot afford unpaid internships in London, where living costs exceed £1,000 monthly. The research highlights how unpaid internships, often concentrated in media and film sectors, remain out of reach for most talented young jobseekers despite offering valuable work experience.
Interview: Jenny Westworth, 2013 Apprentice Champion of the Year
Jenny Westworth, BAE Systems apprentice and 2013 Apprentice Champion of the Year, shares insights on her 3.5-year apprenticeship journey and offers HR guidance on attracting, supporting, and retaining apprentices in the workplace through mentorship and clear career pathways.
The Lowdown on National Apprenticeship Week
National Apprenticeship Week, running March 11-15, celebrates apprenticeships’ positive impact on individuals, businesses, and the economy. The week features hundreds of events nationwide, including CEO job swaps, social media coverage, employer breakfasts, and competitions showcasing apprentice talent and contributions.
Vocational training wins SME backing
Small and medium-sized enterprises increasingly back vocational training and apprenticeships as an effective way to recruit skilled staff and improve business performance. An SME survey found 86% of companies reported better performance with vocational staff, while 77% saw improved retention rates.
News: work experience and a vicious circle
Young job seekers face a persistent employment barrier where 70% know someone rejected for lacking experience. A UK study reveals that one in two young adults feel frustrated by limited career options, with experts recommending schools prioritize work experience to help students stand out to employers.
News: Underlying joblessness worsens despite official figures, warns expert
An employment expert warns that underlying joblessness is significantly higher than official UK unemployment figures suggest, citing distortions from 2012’s Olympics and unusual seasonal patterns. Unemployment could rise sharply in the New Year if temporary Olympic-related jobs end and the labor market weakens before Christmas.
News: Employment market to remain tough until end of decade
Unemployment is unlikely to peak until 2014, with the jobs market expected to remain tough through the end of the decade, according to analysis by the Institute for Public Policy Research. The report warns that an additional 200,000 workers could be jobless within a year, with youth unemployment and long-term joblessness expected to rise significantly.
News: PPMA unveils competition to attract HR talent to public sector
The Public Sector People Managers’ Association has launched Rising 2013, an Apprentice-style competition designed to attract early-career HR talent to the public sector. The initiative addresses recruitment challenges by identifying and nurturing emerging HR professionals through research projects, presentations, and leadership assessments, with the winner earning a PPMA Board seat.
News: Richard Review proposals on apprenticeships widely welcomed
The Richard Review proposes that employers lead apprenticeship design and funding, with minimum year-long training periods to improve quality over quantity. Critics have raised concerns that current short-term placements of just weeks or months prioritize cheap labor over genuine skill development.
News: Local hubs to help employers share under-utilised workers’ skills
Skill Exchange UK, a new not-for-profit scheme, launched today in Northern Ireland to help employers share under-utilized staff skills and work experience through local hubs. The initiative enables businesses to temporarily lend employees to other companies facing skills gaps, with salary costs shared between employers. The program will expand across the UK over three years.
News: Tech City employers launch apprenticeships for 500 young Londoners
Tech City employers including Google and Facebook have launched an apprenticeship scheme offering 500 unemployed young Londoners aged 16-24 full-time 15-month placements combining jobs with specialized skills training. The program, managed by Hackney Community College and opening in January, will provide IT, online marketing, and digital design training funded by the government and Hackney Council.
News: Apprenticeships review urges reform
An MPs’ report warns that the Government’s apprenticeship programme needs urgent reform to improve efficiency and focus on quality over quantity. The Business, Innovation and Skills Committee calls for a simpler delivery system with better data to allocate funds effectively and promote higher-level apprenticeships.
News: Apprenticeship scheme for spooks unveiled
UK spy agencies MI5, MI6, and GCHQ are launching an apprenticeship scheme offering 100 school-leavers two-year placements to become code-breakers and cryptanalysts. The initiative aims to recruit tech-savvy young talent to combat cyber-crime and protect government networks from espionage.
CEO Insight: Employer Pool’s Chris Murray on ethical recruitment
Chris Murray of Employer Pool discusses how ethical recruitment can integrate corporate social responsibility into daily HR operations, helping organizations meet social value requirements while improving candidate experience and supporting long-term unemployed workers.
Dragon’s Den’s Dupsy Abiola on internships
Dupsy Abiola, founder of InternAvenue.com and Dragon’s Den success story, discusses internships and best practices for hiring interns. She explains how internships differ from apprenticeships and work shadowing, and why employers across finance, technology, and professional services sectors increasingly use them to develop talent.
News: Employers exploit apprenticeships for cheap labour, claims business owner
A North East business owner claims employers are exploiting apprenticeship schemes to access cheap labour, offering six-month placements with no employment guarantee. He argues short-term programs fail to provide adequate training and skill development for young people.
Christina’s Counsel: How do I get into HR?
A reader considering a career switch from business administration to HR learns 10 key tips for breaking into the profession, including gaining work experience, understanding different HR specializations, obtaining relevant qualifications, and finding a mentor to guide the transition.
In a Nutshell: Five considerations when taking on an apprentice
Taking on an apprentice requires clear expectations, a well-defined role, and the right training partner. Jason Holt, who pioneered apprenticeships in the jewellery industry, outlines five key considerations for employers to maximize success: manage expectations from the start, define daily tasks, select a supportive training provider, provide proper induction and mentorship, and plan for the apprentice’s long-term development within your business.
