Concerns over internships
An online advert for an unpaid archivist sparks debate over interns in the museum sector
Concerns about the detrimental impact of unpaid internships in museums have been raised once again following a row that broke out in an online forum over an unpaid role.
The controversy was caused by a digital archivist role advertised by Heritage Open Days – an annual event offering free access to historical landmarks that are usually closed or charge for entry – on the Museums Computer Group email list.
The advert sought someone to lead a project to create a digital image archive for the organisation. Based at Heritage Open Days’ London office, the six-month role was for 17 hours per week, in return for expenses and lunch.
The advert was met with an angry response on the forum, with users saying Heritage Open Days was asking someone to undertake a job for free. Many voiced concerns that the continued use of unpaid roles served only to undermine salaries.
Heritage Open Days, which is part of the National Trust, says: “The National Trust believes that voluntary internships provide a great opportunity to involve a wide range of people in our work, at the same time as gaining work experience of direct benefit for their future careers.
“The word ‘lead’ in this particular role description refers to the intern having a clearly defined project they can help shape, with tangible outcomes for their professional development.
“Direct supervision and development opportunities will be provided, giving the intern a meaningful experience that can be applied to future career opportunities.”
Calls have grown in recent years for a ban on unpaid internships, over claims they encourage employers to exploit young people looking to gain experience. The Labour party pledged to do so in its election manifesto.
Still a problem
Alistair Brown, the policy officer at the Museums Association (MA), which offers guidance on unpaid internships, says the issue received lots of attention three or four years ago. “There was a sense that it was ‘done’, but the issue hasn’t gone away,” he says.
Brown points to a recent survey by thinktank IPPR that shows the number of internships on offer is rising. But many still fail to provide meaningful learning opportunities, offer poor working conditions and are accessible only to a “privileged few” with connections and the wherewithal to work unpaid.
Guidance from the MA outlines that unpaid internships should be a maximum of three months long, pay reasonable work-related expenses and offer reasonable access to staff benefits. The content of the job and expectations on both sides should also be clearly outlined.
While the law is very clear on what constitutes a job, there is no legal definition of what an internship is or how it should be carried out.
Brown says: “It might be time to pause for thought about whether we have done enough to ensure internships are done properly and ethically.”
Bob Clark, the director of Auchindrain Township in Argyll and Bute, a preserved farming settlement that is now a museum, says organisations that choose not to follow the guidelines can easily stray across the line – accidentally or intentionally.
“Organisations need to look closely at the opportunity to see if it is a genuine internship or an invitation for someone to volunteer,” he says.
Auchindrain has a team of 43 volunteers and offers three internships a year. Candidates for the internships must prove they are able to support themselves, with some funding provided by European sources.
Dirty word
“Internship has become a dirty word because of the enormous oversupply of graduates,” Clark says. “Museums are able to pick and choose – and they tend to pick those with experience. That means people are forced to take short-term jobs – often unpaid – over many years before they have enough experience to be an employer’s first pick. That’s not right.
“But if all internships in all museums were banned, everyone would be worse off.”
The controversy was caused by a digital archivist role advertised by Heritage Open Days – an annual event offering free access to historical landmarks that are usually closed or charge for entry – on the Museums Computer Group email list.
The advert sought someone to lead a project to create a digital image archive for the organisation. Based at Heritage Open Days’ London office, the six-month role was for 17 hours per week, in return for expenses and lunch.
The advert was met with an angry response on the forum, with users saying Heritage Open Days was asking someone to undertake a job for free. Many voiced concerns that the continued use of unpaid roles served only to undermine salaries.
Heritage Open Days, which is part of the National Trust, says: “The National Trust believes that voluntary internships provide a great opportunity to involve a wide range of people in our work, at the same time as gaining work experience of direct benefit for their future careers.
“The word ‘lead’ in this particular role description refers to the intern having a clearly defined project they can help shape, with tangible outcomes for their professional development.
“Direct supervision and development opportunities will be provided, giving the intern a meaningful experience that can be applied to future career opportunities.”
Calls have grown in recent years for a ban on unpaid internships, over claims they encourage employers to exploit young people looking to gain experience. The Labour party pledged to do so in its election manifesto.
Still a problem
Alistair Brown, the policy officer at the Museums Association (MA), which offers guidance on unpaid internships, says the issue received lots of attention three or four years ago. “There was a sense that it was ‘done’, but the issue hasn’t gone away,” he says.
Brown points to a recent survey by thinktank IPPR that shows the number of internships on offer is rising. But many still fail to provide meaningful learning opportunities, offer poor working conditions and are accessible only to a “privileged few” with connections and the wherewithal to work unpaid.
Guidance from the MA outlines that unpaid internships should be a maximum of three months long, pay reasonable work-related expenses and offer reasonable access to staff benefits. The content of the job and expectations on both sides should also be clearly outlined.
While the law is very clear on what constitutes a job, there is no legal definition of what an internship is or how it should be carried out.
Brown says: “It might be time to pause for thought about whether we have done enough to ensure internships are done properly and ethically.”
Bob Clark, the director of Auchindrain Township in Argyll and Bute, a preserved farming settlement that is now a museum, says organisations that choose not to follow the guidelines can easily stray across the line – accidentally or intentionally.
“Organisations need to look closely at the opportunity to see if it is a genuine internship or an invitation for someone to volunteer,” he says.
Auchindrain has a team of 43 volunteers and offers three internships a year. Candidates for the internships must prove they are able to support themselves, with some funding provided by European sources.
Dirty word
“Internship has become a dirty word because of the enormous oversupply of graduates,” Clark says. “Museums are able to pick and choose – and they tend to pick those with experience. That means people are forced to take short-term jobs – often unpaid – over many years before they have enough experience to be an employer’s first pick. That’s not right.
“But if all internships in all museums were banned, everyone would be worse off.”