DATES AND DURATION

Since the 2014-15 academic year, placements begin between late January and early March, as this is when the students free period begins, and final year students can more easily complete external professional placements; however, it is also possible to conduct internships at any other time of the year (there are always students available).

Placements must be at least 3 months in length (full-time), or the part-time equivalent, so that they can be recognized academically as part of the subject ‘Business Placements’ (PE) (Prácticas en Empresa). However, normally placements are extended to 6 months, thus enabling the student to carry out the subject ‘Bachelor’s Thesis’ (TFG) (Trabajo Fin de Grado) at the same time, during the placement with the company or entity in which it takes place. Experience tells us that a semester seems to be the ideal duration to achieve an effective integration of the student into the work center, allowing them to undertake training tasks of real content, of adequate difficulty, and with maximum usefulness for the tutor and the host business.

We encourage and consider it preferable, to carry out placements on a full-time basis, but we are also interested in part-time internships (typically in the mornings) in Madrid.

OBJECTIVES AND CONTENT OF THE STAY

It is our intention that students should integrate into the normal day to day work of a company, performing tasks that simultaneously provide valuable training to the student and also utility for the host business. The PE program-guide describes the general objectives and approach of the subject. The training project for the placement is broadly set out in the Pr2 form.

STUDENT SELECTION

The decision regarding the selection of the student is made by the company or collaborating entity. The School will provide all the help that is required for this process. Internship offers can be open or directed.

LEGAL ASPECTS AND SIGNING OF THE EDUCATIONAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT

The PE is controlled by R.D. 592/2014, of July 11^th, which regulates the external academic practices of university students. In our case, the placements have an academic and curricular character (they are a compulsory subject in all bachelor level curricula). The ‘Fundación Gómez-Pardo’, annexed to the School, collaborates in the PE process by preparing and sending out a proposed 'Educational Cooperation Agreement’ to the placement host, setting out the terms. The placement/internship does not imply any employment relationship between the host company/organization and the student.

Insurance

Students have school insurance coverage for illness and accidents – provided that they are under 28 years old at the time of enrollment. In addition, at the time of enrollment each student signs up for private accident insurance. The UPM has collective liability insurance to cover this activity.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND STUDENT GRANTS

Host businesses/organizations are requested, on a voluntary basis, to offer students a scholarship or grant for the placement. The idea is not that this would represent a wage, but rather that it would cover the costs arising from the realization of the placement (transportation, meals, accommodation where applicable, etc.). Consequently, the actual amount of the scholarship will vary considerably, depending on the circumstances (the School provides guidance on this issue). We recommend that the financial contribution be made directly to the student (with the corresponding withholding of 2% in respect of IRPF); it is also possible to pay the scholarship through the ‘Fundación Gómez-Pardo’ (although, in this case, there is a transaction fee).

According to the current regulatory framework (Royal Decree 1493/2011 of October 24^th), entities that host university students to carry out placements, are required - if there is financial aid - to register them for Social Security, although in Royal Decree-Law 8/2014, of July 4^th (Additional Provision Twenty-Five), the contribution was approved for rebate in the case (which is ours) of external curricular practices.

• PE program guide for ‘Ingenieria de Minas’

• PE program guide for ‘Ingenieria Geológica’

• PR 2 form

• PE Course Report 2015-16

• Certification and evaluation of PE placement