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What was it like to conduct exploratory research on a possible minimum internship allowance?
A possible minimum internship allowance is a topic that immediately triggers a reaction in most people. Many individuals have either completed internships during their education or have come across them through friends or family. While in other studies the topic may sometimes feel distant to most people, an internship allowance is certainly not. The recognisability, also based on personal experience and surroundings, made this a fascinating topic to delve into within a short period. And the outcome turned out to be more complex than what most people might expect.
This assignment was not only carried out by us, but in collaboration with another research agency, SEO Economic Research, and labor law professor Prof. Dr. Mr. Willemijn Roozendaal. This brought an enjoyable and educational complementarity to the research team in order to successfully complete the assignment.
How did we approach this research?
Our task in this research involved exploring three different components: (1) pros and cons of a minimum internship allowance, (2) implementation methods, and (3) costs and implementation consequences. To effectively explore these three aspects, we used desk research to gain insights into internships and internship allowances in the Netherlands. For example, it was interesting to discover how many collective labor agreements already include provisions regarding an internship allowance and to what extent a specific amount is stipulated. Additionally, we looked into whether there were any lessons to be learned from other countries with a similar measure through an international comparison. Finally, we conducted interviews with various stakeholders, including industry associations, student organizations, and implementation agencies.
What were the challenges in this research?
The main challenge in this research lay in the significant uncertainty and interrelated effects. The initial expectation was that, through a combination of research methods, we would be able to explore somewhat concrete effects, such as evidence from other countries or effects of collective labor agreements or similar measures in the Netherlands. However, this turned out to be more complex than anticipated. The evidence was very limited both in a Dutch and international context.
Additionally, it became apparent that the effects could not be viewed in isolation. For instance, the implementation of a minimum internship allowance logically leads to an improvement in the income position of interns. However, if this leads to a reduction in the number of internship positions, there would be fewer students able to undertake internships, and thus the income position of these students would not improve. It is also unclear whether students who would receive an internship allowance would retain their part-time jobs. If students were to quit their part-time jobs after the introduction of the allowance, their income position would not improve, but these students might experience lesser stress (another potential positive effect).
These effects are further complicated by the uncertainty surrounding the amount of a possible minimum internship allowance. This naturally correlates with the aforementioned effects. This example vividly illustrates the complexity of outcomes that this research has brought about.
Follow-up
The research has now been published and has also led to further actions. The Minister of Education, Culture, and Science has stated that there will be no mandatory internship allowance introduced for the time being, due to concerns about a decrease in the number of internship positions. However, it remains a topic of discussion in the Dutch House of Representatives, and student and youth organizations have recently campaigned for a mandatory internship allowance. The research may be concluded, but the societal debate on this topic is far from over...
