Sandeep Singh, managing director, Athena, discusses the industry’s skills shortage and how paid internships are a necessity.
In the competitive landscape of the events industry, nurturing talent has become a top priority for organisations looking to stay ahead. The pandemic also created a major skills shortage with so many leaving the industry for jobs in other sectors. It has never been more important for the industry to solve these issues and the key lies with paid internships.
This is why we launched Athena’s internship scheme in 2013. We currently work closely with Leeds Beckett University and have been in conversations with other universities across the UK.
As a result, we have witnessed how internships can be a powerful tool in developing the next generation of event professionals. Internships are a crucial bridge between academic learning and real-world application, which is why our programme aims to give interns meaningful responsibilities and provide hands-on experience, rather than just administrative tasks, allowing them to work alongside experienced professionals on live events. This approach not only ensures that interns gain practical skills but also exposes them to the intricacies of event planning and execution.
For example, one of our interns, Rebecca Walton from Ashfield Event Experiences, oversaw a conference for Travelsphere for 150 delegates. “I handled the event from enquiry to event delivery. It was a fantastic learning experience and a massive confidence boost that allowed me to put the skills I had learnt into practice,” she said.
The mentorship aspect of an internship programme is also very important. You must make sure that interns are paired with seasoned event managers who guide them and can share insights gained from years of experience, while providing constructive feedback. This approach not only accelerates the learning curve for interns but also instils a sense of confidence as they experience the challenges and rewards of event management.
Hira Ram, who is our head of events, has been with the company for 18 years and her wealth of experience made her the perfect mentor for Walton. She said: “I was incredibly lucky to learn and work alongside her. Hira has been one of my biggest cheerleaders and I know she is genuinely invested in ensuring anyone who joins the team is able to learn and develop whilst also having fun and enjoying the journey.”
Additionally, it is vital to place a strong emphasis on cultivating a collaborative and inclusive work environment, so interns are encouraged to actively contribute their ideas and perspectives to help deliver their creativity. This not only benefits the interns by honing their problem-solving skills but also allows for the contribution of fresh and diverse ideas into the organisation.
Paid internships are essential for our industry’s future to ensure the next generation of event professionals are well-equipped to meet the evolving demands of the field. It’s time to start creating more of them.