The education sector has been one of the most affected areas during the coronavirus pandemic, and internships have faced numerous disruptions. While all levels of education were impacted, many internship schedules were postponed. From November 30 onward, however, the internship start date will be considered valid.
Internship Period Begins
To combat the rapidly spreading coronavirus, significant changes and precautions were introduced in education. In-person classes were suspended, and internship schedules were delayed. The internship period is set to begin on November 30.
With case numbers rising again, there is renewed uncertainty about how education and internships will proceed. This issue concerns not only the Ministry of National Education but also students who have signed—or will sign—internship agreements and businesses that are required to employ interns.
The General Directorate of Vocational and Technical Education, affiliated with the Ministry of National Education, announced recently that internship practices for students in vocational and technical secondary education, students with internship agreements at businesses, and apprentice students who must complete workplace skill training will begin on November 30. However, certain conditions must be met for internships to proceed.
How Will Internships Be Conducted in the New Term?
Students who wish to intern during the pandemic will be subject to different rules. According to the General Directorate’s statement, students enrolled in vocational and technical secondary education, those holding internship agreements with businesses, and apprentices attending workplace skill training must meet specified conditions to participate in internships.
These conditions include a clear request from the business to host interns, written permission from the student’s guardian for the student to undertake the internship, and confirmation that the hosting business has implemented the necessary coronavirus precautions. If these requirements are fulfilled, internships will begin as of November 30.
Insurance Contributions During Internships and Business Responsibilities
A frequent question is whether insurance contributions are paid during the internship period. Under Law No. 3308, the school is responsible for paying the social security insurance premiums corresponding to students’ internship periods. Therefore, employers are not obliged to pay insurance premiums for interns. Any issues related to contributions should be addressed with the student’s school rather than with the business.
Another important consideration is the precautions businesses must take for interns during the pandemic. Curfews and movement restrictions apply to certain age groups, and students under 20 are subject to such limitations. However, students who need to continue workplace training and internships can be exempt from movement restrictions if they carry the appropriate documentation issued by their school or by the Social Security Institution (SGK).
Students should first apply to their school administrations to obtain the required documentation that details the internship and specifies the internship days. They must carry this document while traveling to and from the workplace during restriction periods.
Businesses with ten or more employees are required, under the relevant law, to employ interns equal to at least five percent of their staff. Additionally, the business must operate in the same sector as the internship field. Businesses that do not employ interns are required to pay a contribution to vocational education instead.