Rowan Draper, former sabbatical officer and current member of his local council, explains his experience of how interns are preceived. He is working hard to press the agenda to rid unpaid internships, and offers his words to show you that people are fighting against this on a local level.

"I was proud when I was elected as a ward councillor to my local authority in May 2011 but in September I felt ashamed when my local Council thought it was acceptable to advertise for an arts-based marketing intern to work for three months with only travelling expenses.

As a recent arts graduate, and former student officer, I know the tough times students and graduates are facing today with the labour market and that’s why I knew I had to do something.

I submitted a Councillor Session Item, with the support of my group, to the members of my authority for them to agree that they would not support this exclusive and unfair working practice that takes advantage of graduates looking for work and experience in the profession.   

The Conservative administration didn’t see it that way. They equated an internship to school based work experience and advocated that because it happens in the law profession that it was acceptable. I disagree with this and will continue to press this agenda until my Council corrects its position on unpaid internships."

Yours,

Cllr. Rowan J. Draper 

rdraper@staffordbc.gov.uk