Tenerife Launches Internship Program to Retain Local University Talent

The Tenerife Island Council (Cabildo de Tenerife) and the University of La Laguna (ULL) have launched a new partnership designed to help young talent stay and work on the island. Through this agreement, 450 university students will gain hands-on experience by completing internships within the island’s public sector, helping them bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world work.

The program covers 60 different degree programs and places students in a wide range of organizations beyond the Council’s main offices. Participants will work with key local entities, including the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands (IAC), the Technological and Renewable Energy Institute (ITER), and transport providers like Titsa and Metropolitano de Tenerife. The initiative also includes cultural and social organizations such as the Auditorio de Tenerife, TEA Tenerife Espacio de las Artes, Turismo de Tenerife, and Sinpromi.

The program is designed to be inclusive, offering placements for students across various fields, including the arts, humanities, health, law, social sciences, engineering, and architecture. This variety allows local organizations to benefit from specialized skills in areas like renewable energy, technology, urban planning, social inclusion, and tourism.

It is important to note that these placements are strictly for educational purposes. They do not constitute formal employment, nor do they guarantee a future job in the public sector. Instead, the program acts as a supervised internship where students can learn how the administration functions before they graduate.

For Tenerife, this initiative is a significant step toward supporting local students and keeping talent on the island. By bringing students into professional teams, the Cabildo is strengthening the connection between the university and the public sector, ultimately aiming to improve local services by incorporating fresh, up-to-date expertise.