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Departmental Work Experience

Volume 487: debated on Thursday 29 January 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many individuals have worked in his Department on (a) paid and (b) unpaid work experience or internships in each of the last three years; on average how many hours a week were worked by such people in each year; what types of work each was involved in; what proportion were in full-time education; what proportion did not complete their set period of work experience; and how much those who received remuneration were paid on average per week in each year. (242114)

The following tables provide information on how many individuals have worked in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and FCO Services, a Trading Fund of the FCO, on paid and unpaid work experience or internship placements in each of the last three years.

FCO

Paid

Unpaid

Average hours worked per week

2006

38

10

36

2007

39

10

36

2008

51

10

36

FCO Services

Paid

Unpaid

Average hours worked per week

2006

0

16

14:48 over two days

2007

0

16

14:48 over two days

2008

0

16

14:48 over two days

Work experience students work on projects and areas associated with various FCO departments. This could include writing briefs and research work.

Of the 158 individuals undertaking work experience at the FCO, 138 were still in full-time education, 20 were recent graduates. All individuals undertaking work experience at FCO Services were in full-time education.

We do not hold statistics on the proportion of individuals who completed their set period of work experience in 2006 and 2007. All individuals completed their periods of work experience in 2008.

Individuals on the FCO’s undergraduate work placement scheme are given allowances to cover hotel accommodation, travel and expenses. In 2006, these averaged £321 per week. In 2007 and 2008 this average increased to £341 per week.