Unpaid internships have no place in architecture

The weak economic trend in the architectural design sector has lowered the threshold for offering and accepting unpaid work. This phenomenon affects both Finnish citizens and especially architects and architecture students who have moved to Finland from another country. The Association of Finnish Architects’ Offices (ATL), the Finnish Association of Architects (SAFA) and the Academic Engineers and Architects in Finland (TEK) are concerned about the arrival of unpaid internships in Finland. The phenomenon is common in southern Europe and has become more common in other the Nordic countries.

The problem has also been recognised at the EU level. On 20 March 2024, the European Commission presented a proposal for a Directive to improve working conditions for trainees. The aim of the Directive is to combat practices where unpaid internships replace permanent jobs.

The employers’ and employees’ organisations for architects provide reasons why unpaid internships should not be part of working life:

• Work should be paid
  Employers benefit from the work done by employees, so it is only fair that employees are paid in return. Another benefit for employers is that a person who receives compensation for their work is motivated to perform well and to develop their skills.

• Unpaid work distorts competition
  Unpaid work is part of the grey economy; its use distorts competition to the detriment of companies that operate ethically. Fair compensation for work improves the general wage level in the sector and the terms and conditions of employment. Under fair competitive conditions, responsible and quality-focused companies can thrive in the long run.

• The work and education of architects deserve appreciation
  The strong image of the architecture sector is based on the value of professional skill. Good working conditions ensure that when labour shortages approach, the top talent stays in the profession. By paying salaries to both recent graduates and student interns, the sector shows that it values the skills they have gained through their long and demanding education.

• Abiding by the law
  Compliance with labour laws and fair practices protects employers from legal sanctions and reputational damage. If the work performed by an intern is equivalent to normal work and fulfils the criteria for an employment relationship, the employer is obligated to pay the person a salary, regardless of whether the person is doing an internship or not.

• Giving talent equal opportunities to enter the sector
  Few people have the financial means to accept unpaid work or an unpaid internship. Fair compensation guarantees that the best talent can bring their skills and creativity to the sector.

Traineeships and programmes supported by society in various forms, such as TE services, are not unpaid traineeships within the meaning of this declaration.