kSIST ISO/FDIS 29997:2025
(Main)Internships - Quality guidelines for host organizations
Internships - Quality guidelines for host organizations
This document outlines guidance for the management of internships to enable host organizations to consistently offer and enhance internship experiences aligned with intended learning outcomes.
Stages en entreprise — critères
This document outlines guidance for the management of internships to enable host organizations to consistently offer and enhance internship experiences aligned with intended learning outcomes.
Pripravništva - Smernice kakovosti za gostiteljske organizacije
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
International
Standard
ISO 29997
First edition
Internships — Quality guidelines
2025-10
for host organizations
Stages — Lignes directrices en matière de qualité pour les
organismes d’accueil
Reference number
© ISO 2025
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Creating effective internship programmes . 2
4.1 General .2
4.2 Analyzing context for internships .2
4.3 Determining the scope of the internship programme .2
5 Internship programme implementation . 3
5.1 General .3
5.2 Pre-internship promotion .3
5.2.1 Internship search and communication of opportunities .3
5.2.2 Internship application .3
5.2.3 Internship selection .4
5.2.4 Written agreement or internship agreement .4
5.3 Internship implementation .4
5.3.1 Onboarding and integration .4
5.3.2 Remuneration (including financial compensation) .4
5.3.3 Social protection and insurance .5
5.3.4 Skill acquisitions and learning outcomes.5
5.3.5 Tutoring and support for interns .5
5.3.6 Work environment .5
5.4 Post internship development .6
5.4.1 Career development and employment .6
5.4.2 Ongoing communication and potential support .6
6 Evaluation and improvement . 6
6.1 Evaluation of the internship programme .6
6.2 Continual improvement .7
Annex A (informative) Good practices for intern recruitment . 8
Bibliography .11
iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 232, Education and learning services, in
collaboration with Technical Committee ISO/TC 260, Human resource management.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
iv
Introduction
Internship programmes provide opportunities for host organizations and individuals to support
employability and competency development.
Continuous adaptation is required in employment environments and the development of new skills is crucial
for preparing individuals for successful and adaptive careers. Internships in host organizations, linked to
training, play a key role in this context. Internships can assist learners to gain practical work experience,
acquire essential competences, and facilitate their initial and continued access to the labour market.
Internship are subject to different legal or regulatory frameworks in different countries.
This document provides guidelines to host organizations to offer good quality internship programmes, in
particular regarding learning and training content and internship conditions, with the aim of easing the
transition from education to the labour market.
This document aims to establish an international framework for internship in host organizations, promoting
effective and relevant professional integration. This document intends to harmonize practices, ensure a
quality experience for interns, and promote equity and equal opportunities.
v
International Standard ISO 29997:2025(en)
Internships — Quality guidelines for host organizations
1 Scope
This document outlines guidance for the management of internships to enable host organizations to
consistently offer and enhance internship experiences aligned with intended learning outcomes.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
internship
guided, time-limited work-based learning experience
Note 1 to entry: Internships should:
— be part of curricula;
— have different durations;
— be paid.
3.2
intern
individual who is carrying out assigned tasks and responsibilities to gain practical experience in line with
expected learning outcomes
3.3
tutor
person linked to or appointed by the host organization to guide interns (3.2) within the organization, possessing
professional experience and significant background knowledge, allowing for an effective tutoring process
Note 1 to entry: A tutor can be an employee, personnel, staff or another person with a fully integrated role in the
organization. Different terminology can be used in different environments such as, but not limited to, supervisor or mentor.
3.4
host organization
legal entity, which can be private, semi-public or public, for-profit or not-for-profit, acting as the place of
carrying out the tasks and responsibilities of the interns (3.2), and responsible for providing practical work-
based learning experience
3.5
educational organization
organization whose core business is the provision of educational products and educational services
Note 1 to entry: An educational organization (3.5) can be included within a larger organization whose core business is
not education, such as a professional training department.
[1]
[SOURCE: ISO 21001:2025 ,3.22]
3.6
work environment
physical, virtual, social and cultural setting in which interns (3.2) carry out their assigned tasks and
responsibilities within the host organization (3.4)
4 Creating effective internship programmes
4.1 General
The host organization should have a clear and comprehensive framework for establishing and managing
effective internship programmes that meet the needs of all parties involved. The host organization should
not use the internship as a job replacement.
The host organization should adhere to the guiding principles by offering decent work, providing accessibility,
being fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. The essence of the guiding principles have been presented in
[2]
Table 1 in the context of internships, see ISO 25550 .
Table 1 — Guiding principles for fair and inclusive internship practices
Principle Description
Decent work Internships which provide a decent, safe and healthy working environment, good opportunities
and income, rights and recognition to interns.
Accessibility An environment which is conducive for differently abled interns.
Fairness and A host organization that does not discriminate and promotes an environment free of social
non-discrimination biases towards interns.
Transparency All internship processes and documents should be clearly communicated and free of hidden
intentions or interpretation.
4.2 Analyzing context for internships
The host organization should consider the organizational context, the development and implementation of
an effective internship programme, ensuring alignment with broader business strategies and objectives.
This includes understanding the industry
...
Norme
internationale
ISO 29997
Première édition
Stages — Lignes directrices
2025-10
en matière de qualité pour les
organismes d’accueil
Internships — Quality guidelines for host organizations
Numéro de référence
DOCUMENT PROTÉGÉ PAR COPYRIGHT
© ISO 2025
Tous droits réservés. Sauf prescription différente ou nécessité dans le contexte de sa mise en œuvre, aucune partie de cette
publication ne peut être reproduite ni utilisée sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun procédé, électronique ou mécanique,
y compris la photocopie, ou la diffusion sur l’internet ou sur un intranet, sans autorisation écrite préalable. Une autorisation peut
être demandée à l’ISO à l’adresse ci-après ou au comité membre de l’ISO dans le pays du demandeur.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Genève
Tél.: +41 22 749 01 11
E-mail: copyright@iso.org
Web: www.iso.org
Publié en Suisse
ii
Sommaire Page
Avant-propos .iv
Introduction .v
1 Domaine d’application . 1
2 Références normatives . 1
3 Termes et définitions . 1
4 Création de programmes de stages efficaces . 2
4.1 Généralités .2
4.2 Analyse du contexte des stages .2
4.3 Détermination du champ d’application du programme de stages .3
5 Mise en œuvre du programme de stages . 3
5.1 Généralités .3
5.2 Promotion avant le stage .3
5.2.1 Recherche de stage et communication des opportunités .3
5.2.2 Processus de candidature de stage.4
5.2.3 Sélection du stagiaire .4
5.2.4 Accord écrit ou convention de stage .4
5.3 Mise en œuvre du stage .4
5.3.1 Accueil et intégration .4
5.3.2 Rémunération (compensation financière y compris) .5
5.3.3 Protection sociale et assurance .5
5.3.4 Acquisition des compétences et objectifs d’apprentissage .5
5.3.5 Tutorat et accompagnement des stagiaires .5
5.3.6 Environnement de travail .6
5.4 Évolution suite au stage . .6
5.4.1 Évolution de carrière et emploi .6
5.4.2 Communication permanente et accompagnement potentiel .7
6 Évaluation et amélioration. 7
6.1 Évaluation du programme de stages .7
6.2 Amélioration continue .7
Annexe A (informative) Bonnes pratiques concernant le recrutement des stagiaires . 8
Bibliographie .11
iii
Avant-propos
L’ISO (Organisation internationale de normalisation) est une fédération mondiale d’organismes nationaux
de normalisation (comités membres de l’ISO). L’élaboration des Normes internationales est en général
confiée aux comités techniques de l’ISO. Chaque comité membre intéressé par une étude a le droit de faire
partie du comité technique créé à cet effet. Les organisations internationales, gouvernementales et non
gouvernementales, en liaison avec l’ISO participent également aux travaux. L’ISO collabore étroitement avec
la Commission électrotechnique internationale (IEC) en ce qui concerne la normalisation électrotechnique.
Les procédures utilisées pour élaborer le présent document et celles destinées à sa mise à jour sont
décrites dans les Directives ISO/IEC, Partie 1. Il convient, en particulier de prendre note des différents
critères d’approbation requis pour les différents types de documents ISO. Le présent document
a été rédigé conformément aux règles de rédaction données dans les Directives ISO/IEC, Partie 2
(voir www.iso.org/directives).
L’attention est attirée sur le fait que certains des éléments du présent document peuvent faire l’objet de
droits de propriété intellectuelle ou de droits analogues. L’ISO ne prend pas position quant à la preuve, à la
validité et à l’applicabilité de tout droit de brevet revendiqué à cet égard. À la date de publication du présent
document, l’ISO n’avait pas reçu notification qu’un ou plusieurs brevets pouvaient être nécessaires à sa mise
en application. Toutefois, il y a lieu d’avertir les responsables de la mise en application du présent document
que des informations plus récentes sont susceptibles de figurer dans la base de données de brevets,
disponible à l’adresse www.iso.org/brevets. L’ISO ne saurait être tenue pour responsable de ne pas avoir
identifié de tels droits de propriété et averti de leur existence.
Les appellations commerciales éventuellement mentionnées dans le présent document sont données pour
information, par souci de commodité, à l’intention des utilisateurs et ne sauraient constituer un engagement.
Pour une explication de la nature volontaire des normes, la signification des termes et expressions
spécifiques de l’ISO liés à l’évaluation de la conformité, ou pour toute information au sujet de l’adhésion de
l’ISO aux principes de l’Organisation mondiale du commerce (OMC) concernant les obstacles techniques au
commerce (OTC), voir www.iso.org/avant-propos.
Le présent document a été élaboré par le comité technique ISO/TC 232, Éducation et services de formation, en
collaboration avec le comité technique ISO/TC 260, Management des ressources humaines.
Il convient que l’utilisateur adresse tout retour d’information ou toute question concernant le
présent document à l’organisme national de normalisation de son pays. Une liste exhaustive desdits
organismes se trouve à l’adresse www.iso.org/fr/members.html.
iv
Introduction
Les programmes de stages offrent l’opportunité aux organismes d’accueil et aux individus de faciliter
l’employabilité et le développement des compétences.
Les environnements de travail exigent une adaptation continue et développer de nouvelles compétences
est crucial pour préparer les individus à une carrière réussie et adaptative. Les stages réalisés dans des
organismes d’accueil, en lien avec la formation, jouent un rôle primordial dans ce cadre. Les stages peuvent
aider les apprenants à acquérir une expérience professionnelle pratique, à acquérir des compétences
essentielles et à accéder plus facilement dès le départ puis par la suite au marché du travail. Les stages sont
soumis à différents cadres juridiques et réglementaires dans divers pays.
Le présent document fournit aux organismes d’accueil des lignes directrices pour proposer des programmes
de stages de bonne qualité, en particulier concernant la teneur des apprentissages et de la formation et les
conditions de stage, dans le but de faciliter la transition entre les études et le marché du travail.
Le présent document vise à définir un cadre international pour les stages dans les organismes d’accueil,
en promouvant une intégration professionnelle efficace et appropriée. Il cherche à harmoniser les pratiques,
à garantir aux stagiaires une expérience de qualité et à promouvoir l’égalité des opportunités et l’équité.
v
Norme internationale ISO 29997:2025(fr)
Stages — Lignes directrices en matière de qualité pour les
organismes d’accueil
1 Domaine d’application
Le présent document contient des recommandations pour la gestion des stages permettant aux organismes
d’accueil de toujours proposer des expériences de stage alignées sur les objectifs d’apprentissage prévus et
de les améliorer.
2 Références normatives
Le présent document ne contient aucune référence normative.
3 Termes et définitions
Pour les besoins du présent document, les termes et définitions suivants s’appliquent.
L’ISO et l’IEC tiennent à jour des bases de données terminologiques destinées à être utilisées en normalisation,
consultables aux adresses suivantes:
— ISO Online browsing platform: disponible à l’adresse https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: disponible à l’adresse https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
stage
expérience d’apprentissage basée sur un travail guidé et à durée limitée
Note 1 à l'article: Il convient que les stages:
— soient intégrés au cursus;
— aient des durées différentes;
— soient payés.
3.2
stagiaire
individu effectuant des tâches et exerçant des responsabilités qui lui ont été affectées afin d’acquérir une
expérience pratique alignée sur les objectifs d’apprentissage prévus
3.3
tuteur
personne liée à l’organisme d’accueil ou nommée par celui-ci pour guider les stagiaires (3.2) au sein de
l’organisme, possédant une expérience professionnelle et d’importantes connaissances de base, garantissant
un processus de tutorat efficace
Note 1 à l'article: Un tuteur peut être un employé, un membre du personnel ou toute autre personne occupant un poste
faisant partie intégrante de l’organisme. Une terminologie différente peut être utilisée en fonction de l’environnement,
telle que, sans toutefois s’y limiter, les termes «superviseur» ou «mentor».
3.4
organisme d’accueil
entité juridique, qui peut être privée, semi-publique ou publique, à but lucratif ou non lucratif, correspondant
au lieu où les stagiaires (3.2) réalisent leurs tâches et exercent leurs responsabilités, et responsable de
fournir une expérience d’apprentissage basée sur un travail pratique
3.5
organisme d’éducation/formation
organisme dont l’activité principale est la fourniture de produits éducatifs et la prestation de services
éducatifs
Note 1 à l'article: Un organisme d’éducation/formation (3.5) peut être inclus au sein d’un organisme de plus grande
taille dont l’activité principale n’est pas l’enseignement, tel qu’un service de formation professionnelle.
[1]
[SOURCE: ISO 21001:2025 , 3.22]
3.6
environnement de travail
cadre physique, virtuel, social et culturel dans lequel les stagiaires (3.2) effectuent les tâches et exercent les
responsabilités qui leur ont été affectées au sein de l’organisme d’accueil (3.4)
4 Création de programmes de stages efficaces
4.1 Généralités
Il convient que l’organisme d’accueil dispose d’un cadre global clair pour définir et gérer des programmes
de stages efficaces qui répondent aux besoins de toutes les parties concernées. Il convient que l’organisme
d’accueil n’utilise pas le stage en remplacement d’un poste.
Il convient que l’orga
...
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST ISO/DIS 29997:2025
01-januar-2025
Pripravništva - Smernice kakovosti za gostiteljske organizacije
Internships - Quality guidelines for host organizations
Stages en entreprise — critères
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: ISO/DIS 29997
ICS:
03.100.30 Vodenje ljudi Management of human
resources
oSIST ISO/DIS 29997:2025 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
oSIST ISO/DIS 29997:2025
oSIST ISO/DIS 29997:2025
DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/DIS 29997
ISO/TC 232
Internships — Quality guidelines
Secretariat: SAC
for host organizations
Voting begins on:
ICS: 03.100.30
2024-12-05
Voting terminates on:
2025-02-27
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT
IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Member bodies are requested to consult relevant national interests in ISO/TC AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL
260 before casting their ballot to the e-Balloting application.
PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
This document is circulated as received from the committee secretariat.
BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED
TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS,
NOTIFICATION OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT
RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE AND TO
PROVIDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.
Reference number
ISO/DIS 29997:2024(en)
oSIST ISO/DIS 29997:2025
DRAFT
ISO/DIS 29997:2024(en)
International
Standard
ISO/DIS 29997
ISO/TC 232
Internships — Quality guidelines
Secretariat: SAC
for host organizations
Voting begins on:
ICS: 03.100.30
Voting terminates on:
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT
IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Member bodies are requested to consult relevant national interests in ISO/TC AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL
260 before casting their ballot to the e-Balloting application.
PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
© ISO 2024
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
This document is circulated as received from the committee secretariat. BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
ISO copyright office
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS,
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
NOTIFICATION OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE AND TO
PROVIDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland Reference number
ISO/DIS 29997:2024(en)
ii
oSIST ISO/DIS 29997:2025
ISO/DIS 29997:2024(en)
Contents
Foreword . iv
Introduction . v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Creating effective internship programmes . 2
4.1 General. 2
4.2 Analyzing context for internships . 2
4.3 Determining the scope of the internship programme . 3
5 Internship programme implementation . 3
5.1 General. 3
5.2 Pre-internship promotion . 3
5.3 Internship implementation . 4
5.4 Post internship development . 7
6 Evaluation and improvement . 7
6.1 Evaluation of the internship programme. 7
6.2 Continual improvement . 8
Annex A (informative) Guiding principles . 9
Annex B (informative) Best practices for ensuring intern recruitment process . 10
Bibliography . 13
iii
oSIST ISO/DIS 29997:2025
ISO/DIS 29997:2024(en)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types of
ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights in
respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO [had/had not] received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this
may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 232, Joint Working Group 9 “Joint ISO/TC 232-
ISO/TC 260: Internship”.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
iv
oSIST ISO/DIS 29997:2025
ISO/DIS 29997:2024(en)
Introduction
Internship programmes provide opportunities for employers and individuals to meet the challenge of
employability and competency development.
Continuous adaptation is required in this environment and the development of new skills is crucial for
preparing individuals for successful and adaptive careers. Internships in host organizations, linked to training,
play a key role in this context. Internships can assist all learners to gain practical work experience, acquire
essential competences, and facilitate their initial and continued access to the labor market. Internships are
subject to different legal or regulatory frameworks in different countries.
This standard aims to establish an international framework for internships in host organizations, promoting
effective and relevant professional integration. It seeks to harmonize practices, ensure a quality experience
for interns, and promote equity and equal opportunities, regardless of their geographic location or career
stage.
This standard provides guidelines to host organization to offer good quality internships programmes, in
particular regarding learning and training content and working conditions, with the aim of easing the
transition from education to the labour market.
v
oSIST ISO/DIS 29997:2025
oSIST ISO/DIS 29997:2025
ISO/DIS 29997:2024(en)
Internships — Quality guidelines for host organizations
1 Scope
This document outlines guidance for the management of internships to enable host organizations to
consistently offer and enhance internship experiences aligned with intended learning outcomes.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 30405:2023, Human resource management — Guidelines on recruitment
ISO 30422:2022, Human resource management — Learning and development
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
3.1
Internship
guided, time-limited work-based learning experience
Note 1 to entry: Internships can:
— be part of curricula;
— have different durations;
— be paid.
3.2
Intern
an individual who is carrying out assigned tasks and responsibilities to gain practical experience in line with
expected learning outcomes
3.3
Tutor
person linked to/or appointed by the host organization to guide interns within the organization, possessing
professional experience and significant background knowledge, allowing for an effective tutoring process
oSIST ISO/DIS 29997:2025
ISO/DIS 29997:2024(en)
Note 1 to entry: This person can be an employee, personnel, staff or another person with a fully integrated role in the
organization. Different terminology might be used in different environments, such as supervisor, mentor etc. Any term
can be used as long as what is meant by these terms corresponds exactly to the definition of tutor as described in this
document.
3.4
Host organization
a legal entity, which can be private, semi-public or public, for-profit or not- for-profit, acting as the place of
carrying out the tasks and responsibilities of the interns, and responsible for providing practical work-based
learning experience
3.5
Educational organization
[1]
ISO 21001:2018 organization whose core business is the provision of educational products and educational
services
Note 1 to entry: This can include an educational organization within a larger organization whose core business is not
education, such as a professional training department.
3.6
Work environment
physical, social, and cultural setting in which interns carry out their assigned tasks and responsibilities within
the host organization
4 Creating effective internship programmes
4.1 General
The host organization should have a clear and comprehensive framework for establishing and managing
effective internship programmes that meet the needs of all parties involved. The internship should not be used
as a job replacement.
This standard has been built around the following guiding principles, so that host organizations may propose
positive and constructive internships: decent work environment, equal opportunity, fairness and
transparency.
NOTE Examples are provided in Annex A.
4.2 Analyzing context for internships
The organizational context should guide the development and implementation of an effective internship
programme, ensuring alignment with broader business strategies and objectives. This includes understanding
the industry-specific challenges, organizational culture, and available resources to support internships.
A successful internship programme requires an
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