Third Sector Internship Scotland

This frequently asked questions (FAQ) document aims to provide information on the programme to third sector organisations and SMEs involved in the Arts and Creative industries across Scotland to enable them to consider participating in the project.

What is SCVO’s Business Growth Graduate Internship Programme? SCVOs Business Growth Graduate Internship Programme is an exciting programme funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) which aims to support micro businesses and SME’s to grow their businesses. Employers will predominately be third sector organisations across all parts of Scotland. The programme will enable micro businesses and SME’s to employ a graduate to undertake a 13 week or 6 week paid internship to complete a specific project designed to aid organisational growth and provide the opportunity for a graduate to utilise their skills and qualifications.

Which organisations can apply to SCVOs Business Growth Graduate Internship Programme? The programme is open to third sector organisations in Scotland. Examples of third sector organisations who would be eligible to apply include:  Voluntary organisations  Charities  Social enterprises  Community organisations  Volunteering bodies  Co-operatives  Trade unions  Mutuals  Housing associations  Credit unions  Community Interest Companies (CICs) – if no profit distribution  Charitable trusts (if the trust was set up by a local authority, the trust must be fully independent from the local authority)  Community Enterprise Trusts  Private SME’s and sole traders involved in the Arts or Creative Industries

Examples of organisations who would not be eligible to apply include:  Arms- length council bodies including trusts (defined by clauses in the constitution that concede control to the local authority).

Business Growth Graduate Internship Programme – Organisation FAQ September 2014  Community Interest Companies where there is profit distribution  Private sector – except for those SME’s and sole traders involved in the Arts or Creative Industries  Local Authorities

What type of project could be suitable? The Business Growth Graduate Internship Programme is looking for projects that support business growth across all areas of business.

The 6 week ‘Let’s get Digital’ digital internship projects This strand of the programme gives organisations the opportunity to identify a 6 week project focussed on digital growth. This could involve, for example:  Website creation or refresh  Social media – beginners or advanced  E-commerce and online fundraising  Campaigning, relationship management, and digital marketing  Using IT more efficiently and mobile communications  IT strategy or policy development  Basic online skills The 13 week internship projects (Arts & Creative Industries, Equalities and Generic internships This strand gives organisations involved the opportunity to identify a 13 week project focussed on the growth of their organisation. This could involve, for example:  Developing a marketing or communication strategy  Planning a fundraising event  Reviewing and refreshing policies/procedures  Carrying out research  Evaluating services  Developing marketing materials  Larger IT projects  Developing new projects  Delivering a specific project  Data Analysis

These project ideas are in no way exhaustive but serve to give a flavour of possibilities.

What is a “Business Growth Graduate Internship opportunity”?

There is no legal definition of an intern, however a good guideline is that interns should develop their professional skills and understanding of a profession by undertaking work of value for an employer. Internships are short-term positions that offer mutual benefits to the host organisation and the intern. An internship provides a work-based learning opportunity for individuals who wish to develop hands-on experience in a certain occupational field. Internships should be clearly distinct from other

Business Growth Graduate Internship Programme – Organisation FAQ September 2014 opportunities that may be available in your organisation, such as job roles, work experience, apprenticeships or volunteering. All Business Growth internships will be temporary positions delivering a specific, discrete piece of work/project focused on business growth “providing the organisation with a short term resource to deliver this meaningful work which is of value to the organisation and at the same time providing the intern with a satisfying work experience”. Internships will vary in nature depending on the specific project. However for the purposes of this programme the following applies:  Digital internships should be for 35 hours per week for a total of 6 weeks.  All other internships should be for 35 hours per week for a total of 13 weeks.  All Arts and Creative Industries Interns should be paid a minimum of £7.65 an hour (National Living Wage).  All other interns should be paid a minimum of £6.50 per hour (NMW from 1/10/14)  Interns should be provided with a job title and clearly defined role.  All interns have an employee/employer relationship with their host organisation. They must legally become an employee of the organisation and be issued with a contract of employment and terms and conditions of employment as well as being subject to all existing organisational policies (e.g. health and safety, equalities etc.).  All interns should be supervised, and in the case of internships within the arts and creative industries, by a member of staff who is an arts or creative industry professional.

Who will cover the salary cost of an intern? The programme will cover the cost of the intern’s salary at the rate of £7.65 per hour (National Living Wage) for Arts and Creative Industries Interns and £6.50 per hour (NMW rate from 1/10/14) for all other Interns and any Employers National Insurance contributions paid in relation to the intern’s salary. Please note that any business travel costs, working from home costs, equipment costs, overhead costs are NOT funded by the programme.

How will this be paid? To comply with European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) financial audit requirements SCVO will process the intern’s salary on behalf of the host organisation. To do this all participating organisations must obtain a second HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) registration number. This is a simple online process http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/payerti/getting-started/register.htm SCVO will process the intern’s basic salary on behalf of the host organisation using this number. Processing the interns pay in this way does not affect the employers RTI.

Intern salaries will be paid in arrears on the 15th of the month by BACS to the intern’s personal account.

Business Growth Graduate Internship Programme – Organisation FAQ September 2014 What happens if an organisation is not registered with HMRC– can they still participate? No. All participating organisations must be registered with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). This can be done on line www.hmrc.gov.uk

What is the recruitment and selection process? As part of your application you will provide details of the Business Growth Project, the tasks to be carried out, the skills required to carry out these tasks. This information will form the internship description. SCVO will advertise your opportunity through a range of channels including DWP, Skills Development Scotland, SCVO website, www.goodmoves.org.uk, NUS Scotland and Careers Services in Further Education and Higher Education and this will be advertised on SCVOs website and with Jobcentres. Employers must also actively promote their opportunities using their own networks signposting interested applicants as appropriate.

Applications for internship posts will be sent to you from Jobcentre Plus and you will arrange interviews.

Who is eligible to apply for the internship opportunities? All Business Growth Graduate Internship opportunities are open to unemployed graduates who are:

 aged 18 – 30 and resident in Scotland i  hold a SCQF Level 8+ qualification (equivalent to an HND, first degree, SVQ Level4)ii

 unemployed; either in the first 12 months of a benefit claim (pre-Work Programme) or 2 years+ (post-Work Programme) or unemployed and not claiming benefits (but must make a claim for benefits in order to apply for an internship opportunity)

Please note –Equality Internships aimed at those with a disability or long term health condition are only open to unemployed graduates who meet this criteria in addition to the criteria stated above.

To apply for an internship, applicants need to speak to a Jobcentre Plus adviser who can check their eligibility and give them an Eligibility Referral Form and Internship Application Form. Alternatively applicants can download an application form from our website, complete this and take it to a Jobcentre Plus adviser who can check their eligibility and give them an Eligibility Referral Form.

Business Growth Graduate Internship Programme – Organisation FAQ September 2014 When can an internship start? All Business Growth Graduate Internship opportunities should commence no later than 5 weeks from the date of advertising.

What support is available to organisations to enable them to take part in the project? SCVO staff will provide support throughout the application and recruitment process. SCVO will also process the pay of your intern

Business Growth Graduate Internship Programme – Organisation FAQ September 2014 i There is no upper age limit for applicants to the Equality Internships ii Applicants to Arts & Creative Industry Internships must possess a relevant Arts & Creative industry qualification