The Crankstart Internship Programme: employer information

Offering an internship to a Crankstart Scholar is a great way to help the career development of widening participation students, who have a keen interest in working in your sector. The Internship Office’s dedicated team will also work closely with the students in order to understand their needs, skills and interests. We will be on hand to deal with any issues that may arise during the course of the internship and we will provide financial support to some scholars to help subsidise their costs.

If you are interested in working with these students, or would like to discuss the programme further please email [email protected].

Employers can participate in the Crankstart Internship Programme by offering an exclusive internship. Scholars study a wide range of undergraduate degree subjects and are very engaged with the idea of undertaking internships during the vacation periods. Exclusive placements offered to Scholars might attract anything between two and twenty applications depending on the project, duration and location. Employers offer a diverse range of professional and research experiences, however all internships must meet the following criteria:

• The internships must only be for Crankstart Scholars who apply through the programme. You may advertise similar internships elsewhere, but internship positions entered into the programme should be set aside for Crankstart Scholars specifically and applications should not be assessed against applications from outside this programme (please note: you are not obliged to select a candidate if none are suitable).
• The internships offered should comprise full-time work for 1 – 12 weeks (no more than 8 weeks for non-finalists) over the summer months (from the end of June to the end of September) or up to 3 weeks over the winter (December-January) or spring break (March-April). Please note that, in the case of any non-profit organisation with whom we have agreed to provide full Crankstart funding, the maximum duration of internships is determined by available funding.
• Internships should involve a meaningful work project with adequate supervision from a mentor appointed within the organisation.
• All for-profit organisations are expected to pay minimum wage or above.
• We ask that not-for-profit organisations make a contribution towards the cost of internship placements, for example free accommodation and meals.

You can advertise a Crankstart Internship as follows:

1. All organisations should register on CareerConnect, our online vacancy system.
2. If you are a new employer, the Internship Office Team will arrange a call with you to discuss the internship and answer any questions you may have.
3. The internship advertisement will be released to students and you will be advised of the closing date.
4. Students will view the advertisement and upload their application documents. The Internship Office will respond to students’ queries on your behalf.
5. After the closing date, we will send you the applications for consideration. You should contact the students directly to arrange interviews. You should communicate with the successful students directly.
6. Confirm your chosen interns with the Crankstart Internship team via email, by the given deadline. We will then communicate with the unsuccessful applicants.

If you have any questions please email [email protected].

The host organisation on the Crankstart Internship Programme will: 

• Provide an accurate and reasonably detailed description of the Crankstart Internship project(s) offered, including an overview of the duties and skills required by the ideal candidate(s).
• Offer a full- or part-time internship - any adjustments must be agreed in advance of the internship being advertised, with prior agreement from the programme manager. The Internship Office considers a full working week to be between 35 and 37.5 hours.  
• The internships should only be for Oxford Crankstart Scholars who apply through the programme. You may advertise similar internships elsewhere, but those entered into the programme should be set aside with the intention of taking Crankstart Scholars from Oxford.
• Protect personal data transferred to you by the Internship Office or the students directly and use it solely for the purpose of the Crankstart internship. At the end of the internship all personal data should be destroyed.*
• Select intern(s) from the pool of applicants who apply through the programme within the timeline provided. If you do not shortlist by the date provided without good reason, the applications will be withdrawn and students will be advised to make applications to other internships.
• Interview shortlisted interns prior to making selections if you wish; interviews may be conducted by telephone, online, or in person. Provide reasonable travel expenses for in-person interviews.
• Deliver the Crankstart internship project as described (or an appropriate alternative project, subject to prior discussion with the Internship Office and the student(s)).
• Provide intern(s) with an appropriate workspace and equipment necessary to carry out the internship project work.
• Designate a point of contact within the organisation who will discuss practical arrangements with the intern(s) before their arrival, supervise the intern(s), and act as the primary contact for communications with the University of Oxford. If the intern completes the placement remotely, ensure a similar level of supervision is provided (i.e. regular telephone catch-ups or equivalent arrangements).
• Provide the intern(s) with a stipend and/or other assistance (for example, accommodation), as agreed with the Internship Office prior to the start of the internship.
• Ensure that any accommodation you provide or arrange for the student(s) during the internship is suitable. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring the accommodation is secure, complies with any applicable health and safety requirements, and is in a safe area.
• Sponsor the student for a visa covering the duration of the placement, where necessary.
• Provide feedback to the University of Oxford by evaluating the intern(s) at the end of the placement.
• Make any necessary and reasonable adjustments to accommodate interns in case of disability or additional needs, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 and the University of Oxford Equality Policy.
• Maintain effective procedures and arrangements to ensure that the internship takes place in a safe environment, including appropriate procedures for interns to raise concerns and complaints, including in relation to bullying and harassment.
• Comply with local health and safety obligations in relation to the internship(s).
• For UK and European internships, ensure equal and equitable access and opportunities to interns from all backgrounds, including when selecting interns, and ensure that interns are not disadvantaged for reasons including one or more of the following factors: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and socio-economic disadvantage.
• For international internships, ensure equal and equitable access and opportunities to interns from all backgrounds, including when selecting interns, and ensure that interns are not disadvantaged for reasons related to their personal characteristics.
• Acknowledge that during the winter and Easter vacations, Crankstart Internships must be limited to a maximum of 3 weeks.  During the summer vacation, the maximum duration is 8 weeks. Finalists and suspended students may undertake internships with a maximum length of 12 weeks.
• Ensure that the internship complies with employment law in engaging the intern including (where applicable) the payment of National Living Wage. We assume, if the internship is advertised as unpaid via the Crankstart Internship Programme, that the host organisation has done an appropriate assessment and concluded that the opportunity can be lawfully offered on an unpaid basis.
• Acknowledge that the Crankstart Internship Programme is open to all matriculated Crankstart Scholars, including those who have suspended their studies for the time being. Read more information on students who have suspended their studies.
• Acknowledge that Crankstart Scholars are from low socio-economic backgrounds, and not disclose their Crankstart status to others. 

*https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/personal-information-what-is-it/