Abstract
The ninth sustainable development goal is focused on job provision and employment generation for all especially university graduates. The aim for this study was to investigate the status of internship programmes and associated policies in higher learning institutions across Sierra Leone. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. This included a desk study of critical tertiary education institutions internship statuses, their policies, acts, regulations and government educational reports. The results show that majority of tertiary institutions visited had fully operational internship programmes while 24% were yet to start the implementation of internship programmes. According to the results; two types of internship training were discovered during the study and they are: (1) Credit based university internship programme (this programme in solely undertake by higher learning institutions in exchange for credit/grade) (2); employment promotion internships (this internship is undertaken by National Youth Service Commission. Majority of students interviewed said internship is part of their academic curriculum and that all internship programmes they undertake are unpaid and without any medical or safety insurance policy. The study further revealed that some internships are done internally at learning institutions while others are carried at government, private, NGO and international organizations. Nonetheless, not all university faculties or unit undertakes internship programmes as internship was not mandatory for some faculties. The study also revealed that internship activity duration differs greatly across higher learning institutions in Sierra Leone. Some institutions send their students for few weeks while others send students for months in the field. The study concludes that, financial, accommodation, inadequate intern’s placement institutions and the unwillingness of some host institutions is the major challenge facing higher learning institutions internship programs across Sierra Leone. Constructive dialogue with educational stakeholders and students discovered that internships are the missing links in the tertiary education system of Sierra Leone and that the absence of internship training and experience from higher learning institutions are the limiting factors in building student’s confidence after graduation. It is recommended that quality assurance procedures through internship should be developed and strengthened by Tertiary Education Commission and National Council Technical and Vocational Awards for student productivity through internship.