GRADUATE INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME (GIP)

Graduate Internship Programme (GIP) is a government initiative which provides work-integrated experience to graduates under the age of 35 in order to improve their employability. Every year, youth graduates who are not working are allocated to various government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to work as interns. As of June 2023, a total of 13,454 graduates have been engaged into the programme in 8 different cohorts.

Background

Malawi is faced with high unemployment levels particularly amongst the youth population which stands at 23% (Malawi Labour Force Survey 2013). While the contributing factors to this state of affairs are many and varied, the single most significant factor especially among the youth is the lack of practical work-based experience. Every year, thousands of young people graduate from post school institutions and universities with certificates, diplomas and degrees from a wide range of academic and technical disciplines. However, their preparation for after-school work and life is generally low, leading to a sense of frustration.

Despite availability of vacancies in some industries, job seekers could not be employed because of not having the required skills, as there is skills mismatch between what is taught in colleges and what is required by industries. Skills development must now consider the changing world of work, which offers new opportunities as well as challenges. Government therefore started implementing the graduate internship programme in 2018/2019 fiscal year to provide work-integrated experience to graduates under the age of 35 in order to improve their employability.

Objectives

The overall objective of the internship programme is to provide the youth graduates with an opportunity to gain experience in the world of work. Specifically, the programme aims to:

• Facilitate skills transfer to graduates
• Provide hands-on experience to build upon skills learned in the classroom
• Mentor and mould graduates into a productive and disciplined workforce
• Inculcate discipline, commitment and good work ethic among the youth
• Enhance youth employability by creating clear linkages between education, training and work

Eligibility

GIP are open to unemployed young people under 35 years of age with graduate qualifications (degree holders)

Length of service

The period of service for Internship Programme is a maximum of 12 months. However, an intern can exit at any time should he/she receive an offer of permanent employment or self-employment or for whatever reasons communicated to the host organizations and administrators of the programme.