Is student internship still beneficial today? The views of multi-parties in Ghana

Purpose There is evidence of country-level contextual variations regarding the benefits practical experience acquired by students during higher education. This paper, therefore, analyses student internships in Ghanaian context. Design/methodology/approach In Study 1, two structured but distinct surveys were distributed to senior members and six specialised technical education institutions (TIs). 2 involved in-depth interviews with heads organisations tertiary sector, including trade groups, industries government agencies. Findings Internship provides soft skills, confidence, career development, sense responsibility, employability, income, knowledge sharing networking for students/interns. For TIs, it contributes professional development faculty supervisors helps them update content they teach. employers, unveils talented promising who can be employed immediately after graduation at a relatively cheaper cost. Research limitations/implications still need additional research different contexts: both developed developing economies clear doubts on controversies surrounding relevance internship 21st century. Practical implications TIs should continue champion programmes. study highlights employers place areas that relate their fields study. It also underscores embrace since cornerstone employability labour market. Social Undeniably, provide critical platform beginners. Originality/value paper offering literature Ghana programme interns/students, all together.