ISO 29997:2025

Overview

ISO 29997:2025 - "Internships - Quality guidelines for host organizations" provides comprehensive guidance for designing, implementing and continually improving internship programmes. Intended for host organizations, the standard helps ensure internships are structured, learning-focused, fair and aligned with intended learning outcomes. It promotes decent work, accessibility, non-discrimination and transparency in internship practices.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and definitions: Clear terms for internship, intern, tutor and host organization to standardize practice and expectations.
• Creating effective programmes:
  • Analyze organizational context and stakeholder needs.
  • Define programme scope and learning outcomes jointly with interns and, where applicable, educational organizations.
• Programme implementation:
  • Pre-internship promotion: diversified sourcing channels, transparent job descriptions and inclusive recruitment.
  • Application and selection: documented, merit-based, non-discriminatory processes with timely candidate feedback.
  • Written internship agreement: start/end dates, working hours, role, learning outcomes, remuneration, tutor details, insurance and termination procedures.
  • Onboarding and integration: structured induction into team and tasks.
  • Remuneration, social protection and insurance: clear communication of benefits and protections.
  • Skills acquisition and tutoring: defined tutoring/support arrangements and targeted learning activities.
  • Work environment: physical, virtual and social conditions that support learning and safety.
• Post-internship and career support: guidance on career development, ongoing communication and potential follow-up support.
• Evaluation and continual improvement: regular programme evaluation and mechanisms for improvement.
• Good practices annex: recruitment examples and practical suggestions for implementation.

Practical applications and users

Who will use ISO 29997:2025:

• Host organizations (private, public, non-profit) seeking to design or upgrade internship programmes.
• HR managers, internship coordinators and tutors developing recruitment, onboarding and tutoring processes.
• Educational organizations aligning curricula and learning outcomes with workplace experiences.
• Policy makers and quality assurance bodies evaluating internship quality and equity. Practical uses:
• Drafting transparent internship descriptions and contracts.
• Establishing fair, inclusive recruiting and selection workflows.
• Designing onboarding, mentoring and assessment frameworks that map to learning outcomes.
• Ensuring legal, insurance and remuneration practices are clearly documented and communicated.
• Implementing evaluation cycles to monitor impact and improve programme quality.

Related standards

• ISO 25550 (guiding principles for fair and inclusive practices) - referenced for guiding principles.
• ISO 21001 (terminology for educational organizations) - referenced for definitions.
• CWA 17541 - referenced for coordination and communication best practices.

For implementation details and official text, consult the full ISO 29997:2025 publication from ISO.