w4mp | representation | TGWU Interns' Network

W4MP is delighted to be able to publicise this network.
We receive a substantial number of enquiries from current and would-be interns and it is
perfectly clear that they need and deserve a good deal more support and encouragement.
Congratulations to the TGWU for taking this initiative.

Added: 15 October 2009: Unite Interns Contract

The Unite interns contract aims to establish a fairer system for internships in Parliament through a clear set of guidelines. Some political employers like the EU already offer well structured, resourced and transparently advertised internship programmes. Our aim is for our interns contract to provide the structure for the House of Commons to do the same.

The contract provides clarity on pay, ensures interns have a diverse workload, guarantees they have access to trade union representation, makes sure they receive the support and feedback they need, and ensures they have the time and freedom they need to apply for jobs or engage in further study.

If you have any questions, or would like further information on the contract, please contact James Green at jamesgreen455@hotmail.com

The Transport and General Workers Union Interns Network (TGWU) Interns' Network is a non-partisan network to help both people already interning in Parliament, and those who want to.

Want to get involved or learn more? Contact Adam at leedera@parliament.uk to sign up for our mailing list. Also, check back here for regular updates.

Your first few days (or even weeks) can be a daunting experience – it is in these nervous and doubtful moments that the TGWU Interns Network is here to help.

How do you find the Table Office? What should go in a briefing note? Why do Members frown at you when you constantly stop the lift during a Division…?

To answer these questions, and countless others, the TGWU Interns' Network gives you the opportunity to make friends with other interns and full-time staff with whom you will be able to share tips and best practice.

Putting the ‘network’ into Interns Network, the TGWU will frequently hold events where Interns can meet each other and full-time Parliamentary staff to learn, ask questions, find out about opportunities and get to know people in the same boat as you.

The social life of working in Parliament is one of its many attractions. Come along to a TGWU Interns Network event; meet with like-minded (and not so like-minded) people; and enjoy the odd drink (or two). You can not only get a full picture of Parliamentary life, but also possible find an unexpected springboard into full-time employment.

To hear about upcoming events, get on the mailing list by contacting Adam at leedera@parliament.uk.

Let’s be clear – most MPs treat their Interns perfectly well. But that does not mean there isn’t still some room for improvement.

Here the TGWU Interns Network can offer the chance to discuss any concerns you have about your employment practices in confidence. The TGWU can provide an opportunity to highlight both good and bad practice when employing Interns, with the hope of working with MPs towards more enjoyable, stimulating, and substantive internships, which benefit both the Member and the Intern.

The TGWU Interns Network will strive to provide some clarity of what is expected of your employer, but also what is expected of you during the course of your internship.

We’ll also be setting up a mentoring scheme for new members of staff. Mentoring is a great way to build up new contacts, and to help you feel more welcome when you first start work at Parliament.

You will be matched with an experienced Parliamentary researcher or assistant, who will try to answer any questions you may have, help you navigate your way around the Westminster maze, and generally be a friendly face and point of contact when you arrive. It can also be nice to have someone to speak to who works for a different MP to you, in order to get a broader view of how things differ from office to office!

The minimum requirement we ask is one hour a month, but it will be up to the mentor and mentee to agree a contact programme that is mutually convenient. Contact Stacey Vickers on 020 72196377 or vickerss@parliament.uk for an application form or further information.

Naturally a large number of new interns start in Parliament when recess concludes and therefore the TGWU Interns Network will be holding drinks reception to for interns.

Unfortunately, due to security reasons, only interns who are current Parliamentary passholders, or those escorted to the event by a Parliamentary passholder can attend this event.

The reception will take place on Thursday, October 9^th 2008 in Room E of 7 Millbank. The event will last between 18:00 and 21:00 with free drinks provided.

This will be an ideal opportunity for interns to meet other interns and members of staff – not to mention take advantage of some free alcohol which I appreciate is a necessity on the average intern’s budget!

If you will be attending or have any questions, please RSVP to me at leedera@parliament.uk.

TGWU Interns Network – Informal Social – September 9^th 2008:

Following up on the success of our first informal social, and following a brief break to allow for holidays, the TGWU Interns Network monthly socials will be returning on September 9^th between 19:00 and 22:00 in St Stephens Tavern, Westminster.

T & G Executive Members will be in the upstairs room of the pub and can be identified from the fetching blue T & G lanyards, which we will be wearing.

People are already beginning to take advantage of the network’s mentoring scheme and we have mentors ready and waiting to take on mentees.

This involves you being paired with another member of staff in Parliament to provide advice, guidance and another point of contact who is outside of your office.

If you are interested in taking this up then email Stacey Vickers at vickerss@parliament.uk who will pair you up with an appropriate mentor.

As always, if you have any ideas on other things that the TGWU Interns Network could be doing then don’t hesitate to get in touch.


	It's 18 March 2010
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TGWU Interns' Network Last updated: 15 October 2009 Page added: 16 May 2008 W4MP is delighted to be able to publicise this network. We receive a substantial number of enquiries from current and would-be interns and it is perfectly clear that they need and deserve a good deal more support and encouragement. Congratulations to the TGWU for taking this initiative. Added: 15 October 2009: Unite Interns Contract The Unite interns contract aims to establish a fairer system for internships in Parliament through a clear set of guidelines. Some political employers like the EU already offer well structured, resourced and transparently advertised internship programmes. Our aim is for our interns contract to provide the structure for the House of Commons to do the same. The contract provides clarity on pay, ensures interns have a diverse workload, guarantees they have access to trade union representation, makes sure they receive the support and feedback they need, and ensures they have the time and freedom they need to apply for jobs or engage in further study. If you have any questions, or would like further information on the contract, please contact James Green at jamesgreen455@hotmail.com Click here to view the contract (PDF file) Click here to view the report on the Interns Summit on 12 October 2009 Who are we? The Transport and General Workers Union Interns Network (TGWU) Interns' Network is a non-partisan network to help both people already interning in Parliament, and those who want to. Want to get involved or learn more? Contact Adam at leedera@parliament.uk to sign up for our mailing list. Also, check back here for regular updates. Whilst you do not have to be a member of the TGWU to join the Interns Network, you can join the TGWU Parliamentary Branch as an Intern for the reduced rate of £1.07 per week either by contacting freedmanm@parliament.uk or online at http://www.tgwu.org.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=89716. To find out more about the TGWU Parliamentary Branch, visit http://www.w4mp.org/personnel/tgwu/ What we do? Advice: Your first few days (or even weeks) can be a daunting experience – it is in these nervous and doubtful moments that the TGWU Interns Network is here to help. How do you find the Table Office? What should go in a briefing note? Why do Members frown at you when you constantly stop the lift during a Division…? To answer these questions, and countless others, the TGWU Interns' Network gives you the opportunity to make friends with other interns and full-time staff with whom you will be able to share tips and best practice. You can also contact the Interns Network officers: Adam (leedera@parliament.uk) or James (greenjam@parliament.uk). Meanwhile, have a look at the W4MP guide 'Your First 10 Days': http://www.w4mp.org/html/library/induction/firsttendays.asp. It might help you to survive those bewildering first few weeks Events: Putting the ‘network’ into Interns Network, the TGWU will frequently hold events where Interns can meet each other and full-time Parliamentary staff to learn, ask questions, find out about opportunities and get to know people in the same boat as you. The social life of working in Parliament is one of its many attractions. Come along to a TGWU Interns Network event; meet with like-minded (and not so like-minded) people; and enjoy the odd drink (or two). You can not only get a full picture of Parliamentary life, but also possible find an unexpected springboard into full-time employment. To hear about upcoming events, get on the mailing list by contacting Adam at leedera@parliament.uk. Check out some of the sporting and social groups you can join here: http://www.w4mp.org/html/personnel/groups.asp. Advocacy and Assistance: Let’s be clear – most MPs treat their Interns perfectly well. But that does not mean there isn’t still some room for improvement. Here the TGWU Interns Network can offer the chance to discuss any concerns you have about your employment practices in confidence. The TGWU can provide an opportunity to highlight both good and bad practice when employing Interns, with the hope of working with MPs towards more enjoyable, stimulating, and substantive internships, which benefit both the Member and the Intern. The TGWU Interns Network will strive to provide some clarity of what is expected of your employer, but also what is expected of you during the course of your internship. Mentoring: We’ll also be setting up a mentoring scheme for new members of staff. Mentoring is a great way to build up new contacts, and to help you feel more welcome when you first start work at Parliament. You will be matched with an experienced Parliamentary researcher or assistant, who will try to answer any questions you may have, help you navigate your way around the Westminster maze, and generally be a friendly face and point of contact when you arrive. It can also be nice to have someone to speak to who works for a different MP to you, in order to get a broader view of how things differ from office to office! The minimum requirement we ask is one hour a month, but it will be up to the mentor and mentee to agree a contact programme that is mutually convenient. Contact Stacey Vickers on 020 72196377 or vickerss@parliament.uk for an application form or further information. Facebook: There's now a TGWU Parliamentary Branch Interns Network facebook page which you can visit at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=25973496065. Good luck, be in touch, and we look forward to meeting you soon… Latest mailing 5 September 2008 TGWU Interns Network – Welcome Drinks Reception – October 9^th 2008: Naturally a large number of new interns start in Parliament when recess concludes and therefore the TGWU Interns Network will be holding drinks reception to for interns. Unfortunately, due to security reasons, only interns who are current Parliamentary passholders, or those escorted to the event by a Parliamentary passholder can attend this event. The reception will take place on Thursday, October 9^th 2008 in Room E of 7 Millbank. The event will last between 18:00 and 21:00 with free drinks provided. This will be an ideal opportunity for interns to meet other interns and members of staff – not to mention take advantage of some free alcohol which I appreciate is a necessity on the average intern’s budget! If you will be attending or have any questions, please RSVP to me at leedera@parliament.uk. TGWU Interns Network – Informal Social – September 9^th 2008: Following up on the success of our first informal social, and following a brief break to allow for holidays, the TGWU Interns Network monthly socials will be returning on September 9^th between 19:00 and 22:00 in St Stephens Tavern, Westminster. T & G Executive Members will be in the upstairs room of the pub and can be identified from the fetching blue T & G lanyards, which we will be wearing. These are informal occasions for interns to get together so drop in for a beer. Mentoring: People are already beginning to take advantage of the network’s mentoring scheme and we have mentors ready and waiting to take on mentees. This involves you being paired with another member of staff in Parliament to provide advice, guidance and another point of contact who is outside of your office. If you are interested in taking this up then email Stacey Vickers at vickerss@parliament.uk who will pair you up with an appropriate mentor. Facebook Group: In case you are not already signed up, the network has a facebook page which can be found at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=25973496065 As always, if you have any ideas on other things that the TGWU Interns Network could be doing then don’t hesitate to get in touch. Happy interning! Adam To go to the main TGWU page click here.

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TGWU Interns Network – Informal Social – September 9th 2008:

TGWU Interns Network – Informal Social – September 9^th 2008: