I happened to host one in 2012 for arts space and film festival I was running…worked out well…interns are paid so its ethical in that sense and they were hardworking and motivated.
They need a desk space and once a week a sit down with a trustee/member to plan out tasks, progress, queries, feedback etc…but once approved there is generous flexibility between the intern and host to decide how to work…eg working from home days to contact donations from suppliers or research funding sources, undertaking research visits to other london makerspaces to interview and feedback best practices, contacting local community groups, press and businesses to promote SLMS.
We told our intern to think about a self initiated project that he could do in 8 weeks and take ownership of but that linked in and promoted our space and festival and he organised a talk and panel discussion at National Portrait Gallery attended by 200 people.
It could be interesting, it would definitely depend on what they ended up doing with us.
My worry is that the space is empty most of the time so they’d effectively be sat in Makerspace on their own which isn’t much of an experience for them.
What about a design intern? Someone who would learn about how to use the machines and maybe help out with some projects? When there’s free time they can work on their own stuff.
Sounds like a good idea but just noticed this (my bold):
To be eligible you need to be:
An SME, start-up, social enterprise, or charity;
Based in London (within zones 1-6); Have a desk for the intern in an office (NOT a home office) where another full-time member of the company sits (co-working spaces are acceptable); and
A member of the senior management team is committed to spending at least half a day per week meeting with or mentoring the intern (taking them to meetings, reviewing goals and tasks etc).