Recent headlines have highlighted the value and the challenges surrounding internships. For many, they provide invaluable real-world experiences, skill development, and networking opportunities. Yet, a story from a student highlights an unfortunate side of internships: potential exploitation, as noted by a university student known as Rashifa.
On Twitter, Rashifa posted a photo of herself donning a large placard that said: “Interns are not free labour.” As a potential intern herself, Rashifa is understandably upset with some companies offering unpaid and underpaid internships. Despite the minimum wage of RM1,500 in Malaysia, which took effect on May 1 last year, interns are not included in this newly-implemented policy. How is an intern in Kuala Lumpur expected to pay their bills when they are not paid fairly, Rashifa asked.
Her message is evident: creating a fair and inclusive environment for interns is crucial for the future of our workforce. It serves as an active plea to students, educational institutions, and businesses to jointly reassess and reshape our existing internship culture.
Striking a balance between employers and interns
While it's not a legal requirement for companies to offer remuneration during internships, the perks of doing so extend beyond just goodwill. For instance, they can act as a draw for top student talent, creating a pipeline for companies to potentially train and retain these individuals post-graduation.
The impact of paid internships extends further. They serve as a catalyst for workplace diversity, granting students from less privileged backgrounds the opportunity to access invaluable training experiences. Furthermore, offering paid internships is a powerful branding statement for companies. It positions them as progressive, fair, and employee-centric, thus attracting not just interns but also future full-time talents who value such qualities in an employer.
How is the government addressing this?
Implementing compulsory paid internships might still be a distant reality, but that doesn't mean efforts aren't being made. TalentCorp, acting under the Ministry of Human Resources, has consistently spearheaded initiatives focused on industrial training at a national scale. In their work spearheading the drive to bridge critical gaps in the professional landscape, they uphold a vision where interns are not just valuable, but valued - which includes receiving allowances during their internships to offset daily expenses.
The National Structured Internship Programme (MySIP) by TalentCorp embodies this initiative. This program offers students a structured internship experience with MySIP-endorsed companies, and facilitates employers who actively contribute to the development of talent.
- For students: Internships under MySIP companies promise a minimum monthly allowance of RM500. But it's not only about financial gain; it's about personal and professional growth. MySIP companies are required to provide evidence of a structured internship framework, assuring interns of the opportunity to gain practical work experience and access to upskilling programs. With over 1,700 MySIP-approved companies like Maxis, PETRONAS, Nestle, and many others, students have a broad spectrum of industries to align with their interests. The program is open to Malaysian citizens studying full-time in Malaysia or at a recognized university abroad.
- For employers: MySIP is a unique opportunity to foster a dynamic, talented, and resourceful workforce. Participating in MySIP allows employers to tap into a vast talent pool of students from local, international, or TVET institutions. This creates a platform for imparting valuable knowledge while nurturing the potential leaders of tomorrow. Additionally, MySIP-endorsed companies reap the benefit of a double tax deduction incentive for expenses incurred on the interns throughout the program. This includes allowances, logistics, data and communication, and training, making the program not just a boon for the talent but a rewarding venture for the organizations as well.
How to apply?
All MySIP interns and companies can apply to join via mynext, an inspiring initiative by TalentCorp, which serves as an all-in-one talent solution and analytics platform for students, universities, companies, and the workforce. Here, students will have access to tools that help them improve their employability, while employers will be able to source the right talents for their companies.
For eager students looking to embark on a rewarding internship journey with MySIP, the process is just a click away. You can sign up at https://www.mynext.my/talent, where you can access a myriad of internship opportunities that await after completing the Profiling Suite assessment.
For forward-thinking employers who understand the value of nurturing local talent, MySIP is an exceptional platform. Register your company at https://www.mynext.my/company and take the first step towards creating meaningful and structured learning experiences for the next generation of professionals.
Shaping the future of internships – one student, one company at a time
In this rapidly evolving professional landscape, we need more than just traditional internships. We need initiatives and platforms like MySIP and mynext to foster growth, champion fairness, and create opportunities for meaningful learning.
Above all, we need a unified front - a collective of individuals, parents, employers, and decision-makers working hand-in-hand to construct innovative solutions. This collaborative effort is the key to ensuring Malaysia's talent ecosystem remains robust and future-ready, armed with the resilience and adaptability to tackle the upcoming global challenges with competence.