Saxony-Anhalt's Students Frequently Use Internship Bonus - Saxony-Anhalt's Internship Bonus Benefits Over 4,000 Students Since 2020
Since 2020, over 4,000 students in Saxony-Anhalt have benefited from the internship bonus, with funding secured until 2026. This initiative encourages students to pursue holiday handshake opportunities, with over 1,400 completing them this year alone.
The internship bonus provides students aged 15 and above with €120 per week for voluntary handshake opportunities, up to four times a year. Over half of these handshake opportunities occur during the summer break. The number of approved applications has surged from around 925 in 2024 to nearly 1,250 in the current year.
The Halle (Saale) Chamber of Skilled Crafts district sees higher demand for holiday handshake opportunities than the Magdeburg Chamber of Skilled Crafts district. However, usage of the bonus varies regionally, with disparities noticeable for green professions and skilled trades. Since the program expanded to include 'green professions', about 273 students have completed handshake opportunities in this sector, alongside 3,700 in skilled trades.
The internship bonus in Saxony-Anhalt continues to grow in popularity, with more students using their holidays to gain work experience and earn money. With secure funding until 2026, this trend is expected to continue, benefiting both students and local businesses.
