There’s still time for employers to take part in the #10000blackinterns programme, says Jayne Cullen from 106 Communications.

If you haven’t already heard of #10000blackinterns or haven’t yet signed up, it’s not too late to pledge your commitment for the summer 2023 programme; the deadline for initial pledges of commitment is 14 October 2022.

What is #10000blackinterns?

The programme’s mission is to support black heritage students and graduates realise their potential and transform their horizons with paid internships across more than 25 sectors.

Since the programme began two years ago over 2500 internships have been completed across over 700 participating firms across over 25 different sectors from accountancy to utilities. Paid internships are a minimum of six weeks and take place across the UK.

#10000blackinterns supports applicants by matching students’ or graduates’ sectors of interest and support them with a range of online pre-internship training and development.

Here at 106 Communications, we have been committed to offering two six-week paid internships since the very inception of the programme back in 2021.

Jayne Cullen and Henry Davies from 106 chaired the Marketing and Advertising Steering group who very proudly secured over 100 paid internships in our sector.

In July 2022 Blessing and Millie joined us here in our fab offices in London as account executives. Millie, having worked on live client projects as part of her internship, was able to showcase her social media and content writing skills and started in her new full time social media content manager role with 106 at the beginning of September after a well-earned holiday!

“My internship with 106 Communications was invaluable as I was made to feel part of the team from day dot and gained so much experience that I now feel confident in my full-time role. I had the opportunity to speak with clients about their live projects and contribute my own ideas, which were well received. Without the 10000 Black Interns programme, I wouldn’t have felt confident applying to internships or graduate roles,” said Millie.

Henry Davies founder of 106 has committed the business to two more interns for 2023 explaining his decision as, “One of the most amazing things we’ve ever done as a business. We had two exceptional people join us over the summer, bringing great skills but also insights and lived experience that has made us think about the work we do with clients as much as the way we recruit ourselves.  I can’t recommend the programme enough.”

Why should you get involved?

It’s all about diversifying your talent pipeline according to the programme’s website claiming that, ‘70% of 2021 applicants said they wouldn’t have received an internship without our programme’.

How do you get involved?

If you are interested in your organisation offering an internship next summer then the deadline is approaching fast – 14 October – so please visit the #10000blackinterns website to complete their online form.

All you need to do is to answer a few simple questions including your sector and the number of internships you would like to offer. Whether you offer this as a new programme alongside your current internship offerings or as a stand-alone programme that is entirely your own decision.

What happens next?

Once you have pledged your commitment via the online form you will have effectively registered your interest and you will receive a receipt of submission where you will need to follow the link in the email to confirm your pledge.

You are in control of the application process and will have access to all candidates via the #10000blackinterns ATS system where you can upload your own process and candidate instructions.

Student applications close in November and interviews and assessments run through to the end of January with offers being completed by the end of April.

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