Socially-driven graduate employment specialists Adopt an Intern (AAI) has placed their 1500th candidate into paid work and set them on the path for future success.
With employers admitting that ‘diversity’ and ‘retention’ are their biggest challenges, AAI’s agenda of promoting short-term internships as a way to find long-term team members from all backgrounds has struck a chord with businesses at all levels.
Their 1500th intern, Zivile Laskauskaite, has embraced the opportunity in a 9-month HR internship with Stirling Council, Stirling Council have taken on 30 interns with AAI since 2013.
Zivile said of her internship:
“Going for this opportunity has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I have seen myself grow, both as an individual and as a young professional, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for me.”
AAI has now worked with 1000+ employers of all sizes, from Government to glass-blowers, to design and facilitate graduate-level employment placements, the majority of which have led to full-time employment. As well as supporting graduate job-seekers from all backgrounds, AAI takes a holistic approach to consulting businesses before handling the recruitment and shortlisting processes to find the right candidates.
The not-for-profit organisation has not looked back since initial support from the Scottish Government ended and is looking forward to its 10th birthday next year.
Joy Lewis, Chief Executive of AAI, said:
“This 1500 milestone not only reminds me of all the incredibly talented people we’ve helped to realise their potential, but also all the wonderfully varied businesses we’ve supported. At the start, our mission was getting graduates paid opportunities, but as we’ve grown, more and more employers are appreciating our ability to promote their company culture to our extremely diverse audience of motivated job seekers.
From startups to national industry leaders like Diageo, we help them hire for potential and fresh ideas. I encourage forward-thinking employers throughout Scotland to get in touch with us and discover what we can do for them, whatever their need”.
The organisation’s first-ever intern placed, Iain McDonald said:
“My intern position in 2010 opened a lot of doors for me. It let me prove I was capable of writing to a high standard, meeting deadlines, but most of all, that I was employable. Since then I’ve worked in editorial and corporate positions for companies in Scotland, the Middle East and Australia.
I’m now a Subeditor at DC Thomson, one of the leading media organisations in the UK.”
