Serving Coffee and Other Hospitality Roles are Increasingly Being Labeled “Internships”, Paid or Not, in UK – CoffeeTalk

Hospitality firms are increasingly using the term “internship” to attract young workers amid stiff competition for limited entry-level jobs.

Data from the Institute for Fiscal Studies indicates that only half of 16- to 24-year-olds in the UK had paid work by the end of 2025, prompting students to chase routine jobs with the hope of garnering valuable experience and references. This trend has led to a rise in internship offerings, with 59% of employers providing such opportunities, especially in London, thus allowing firms to be selective in their hiring process. Experts observe growing competition as employers demand more from entry-level workers, increasing the challenges for young candidates.

In March, graduate vacancies were noted to have decreased by 35%, showing a downward trend in available positions as internship listings remained more stable.

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