The 2018 cohort of the Saltire Scholar Internship Programme is largest to date since the initiative began 11 years ago. These placements enables participants to work with a variety of leading organisations around the globe and gain invaluable work experience. This opportunity is open to undergraduate students from Scottish universities in their penultimate year of study.

The internships are fully funded by supporters and donors of the Entrepreneurial Scotland Foundation, with the goal of finding and fuelling the next generation of leaders in Scotland. 70 top companies will be taking on the students from the 170 strong cohorts, who represent 15 Scottish universities. Amongst this year’s hosts are: GlaxoSmithKline, American Express, Edinburgh Airport, Liberty Mutual, Fender Musical Instruments and Cisco.

Internships Abroad and at Home

This year’s students will enjoy internships in nine countries: Scotland, England, India, Hong Kong, Switzerland, USA, Canada, Australia and Japan. The host companies operate in many different sectors such as banking, technology, manufacturing and the creative industries and offer the students placements lasting 8 to 12 weeks.

At the end of their placements, all the scholars will become emerging members of Entrepreneurial Scotland for the next three years, providing access to world-class networking, mentoring and events to support their continuing entrepreneurial journey and profession development.

Sara Cook, Head of Saltire Scholar Internship Programme, said:

“This year we received more than 1500 applications for the Saltire Internship Programme – another record for us. This highlights the importance today’s students place on entrepreneurship and the need for a global perspective.”

“Firms who want to grow their business say their biggest challenge is finding talented people with the right attitude, skills and ambition.”

“Saltire Scholars have repeatedly shown that they have all these qualities. As they embark on this life-changing entrepreneurial journey, the interns can look forward to some challenging and exciting business experiences – wherever they are based around the world.”

Sandy Kennedy, Chief Executive of Entrepreneurial Scotland, said:

“In the Year of Young People, it’s marvellous to see so many interns joining our programme. For Scotland to fulfil its potential, we need to ensure that the next generation has the skills and global mindset to succeed in an entrepreneurial world.”

“The Saltire Scholars have a unique opportunity to learn with the best companies and they return to Scotland with increased passion and determination to succeed and prosper in their chosen careers.”

“There is no other internship scheme like it and I am sure that many students from this year’s cohort will go on to make a real impact as future leaders and influencers in organisations at home and around the world. The growing success of the internships is due to the team that works throughout the year to ensure its smooth delivery.”

“Thanks should also go the GlobalScot network for their ongoing endorsement, Scottish Enterprise for supporting the programme in the early years, our trustees, donors, university partners and host companies and of course to our alumni – many of whom have gone on to do incredible things.”