The 14th of November, 2013 Vilnius Lithuanian business employers’ confederation Matchmaking and organization of internships GOOD PRACTICE The 14th of November, 2013 Vilnius

WHY? Interns Youth unemployment is historically high. It is especially difficult for the youngsters to find a first job. Youngsters find themselves trapped – they need to demonstrate professional experience in order to get a job, but how could they obtain hands-on experience without actually having a job? Internships appear to be a perfect solution for gaining first professional experience. Unfortunately in Lithuania internships were treated as a formality but not as a practical and useful tool. There were no clear standards for quality internships and no friendly and convenient way to find a matching partner for the internship.

WHY? Host companies Only small number of companies treat interns as possible future employees and understand the value of internship. Companies in Lithuania complain about the difficult situation of profeesional employees. Companies which invite interns usually have bad experience in not systemic internship process which causes disappointment and rejection of internship managers. Companies face difficulties in finding interns of required education or the process of searching takes too much time and efforts, sometimes even money.

WHY? High education High education institutions (universities and colleges) have not strong relationships with commercial organizations (host companies). Universities and colleges are not able to ensure sufficient amount of quality internship places for all students. Universities and colleges are not able to check the process and quality of implemented internships.

SYSTEM FOR MATCHMAKING AND ORGANIZATION OF INTERNSHIPS “GOOD PRACTICE” WHAT? SYSTEM FOR MATCHMAKING AND ORGANIZATION OF INTERNSHIPS “GOOD PRACTICE” DESIGNED TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF INTERNS, HOST COMPANIES AND UNIVERSITIES

WHAT? www.gerapraktika.lt Web site for matchmaking and organization of internships Standard for quality internship and certification of host companies Guides on organization of internships for host companies and interns Annual nationwide contest of quality internships

ORGANIZING AN INTERNSHIP - THE HOST COMPANY HOW? ORGANIZING AN INTERNSHIP - THE HOST COMPANY Preparing for an internship Searching for interns Implementing an internship Closure of an internship Standard for quality internship Predefined internship plans Evaluating application and interviewing interns Internship timetable Final evaluation of host and intern Certificate for quality internship www.GeraPraktika.lt Web site Manual for host company Call for applications Drafts of internship agreement etc. Progress reports Internship database

ORGANIZING AN INTERNSHIP - THE INTERN HOW? ORGANIZING AN INTERNSHIP - THE INTERN Preparing for an internship Searching for an internship Implementing an internship Closure of an internship www.GeraPraktika.lt Web site List of the host companies Internship timetable Submitting applications and interview Final evaluation of host and intern Browsing through the calls for applications Drafts of internship agreements etc. Progress reports Internship certificate Manual for intern

GENERAL STATISTICS 1.401 4.680 234% 30 60 100% 232 662 185% 438 1.962   2012.05.23 2013.11.11 Variation Number of registered interns 1.401 4.680 234% Number of registered universities 30 60 100% Number of registered host companies 232 662 185% Number of calls for applications 438 1.962 348% Number of submitted applications 1.082 6.417 493% Average number of application per call 2,5 3,8 52%

KEY SUCCESS FACTORS Clear demand for integrated system for matchmaking and organizing internships. Holistic approach to implementation of the project. Intuitive and user-friendly design of the web site. Proactive initial promotion campaign and snowball effect. Free-of-charge trainings for host companies and interns. Continuous coverage in press and becoming an experts on internships.

RESULT “GOOD PRACTICE” is the most advanced and popular tool for matchmaking and organizing of internships in Lithuania that has became the synonym for quality internships.

SOME FACTS The name of the project - „The development and deployment of the model for organising internship to the fields of Management and Economics studies” Project code - VP1-2.2-ŠMM-07-K-01-079 Project Promoter - Lithuanian Business Employers’ Confederation Project duration - from the 1st of April, 2010 till the 30th of June, 2012 The project was co-financed by European Union The grant for the implementation of the project was 1.503.110,90 Lt

LITHUANIAN BUSINESS EMPLOYERS‘ CONFEDERATION CONTACTS LITHUANIAN BUSINESS EMPLOYERS‘ CONFEDERATION Vaidotas Levickis +370 610 2274 vaidas@lvdk.eu ADVANCED ADVICE Aistė Kumponaitė +370 614 83028 aiste@aadvice.lt