Practical workplace experience is a cornerstone of social work accreditation programs. Practicums and internships provide supervised, hands-on training in real-world settings and are invaluable to the student learning experience.

However, the financial burden of meeting this requirement, including taking time off work, commuting, and other costs, without compensation for their labour is exploitative and inconsistent with the standards of internships in other fields. Expecting students to volunteer for what quickly becomes a full caseload, with the same expectations as paid employees, is unethical. It sets a precedent that devalues their work and prepares students to accept such treatment in their professional careers.

Our own accrediting bodies have long justified this practice as the only affordable way to offer placements. Such reasoning is an unacceptable excuse that perpetuates systemic inequity and exploitation. Policy reform that mandates payment for student internships by adjusting funding for social services and education is the only way forward. Completing hundreds of hours of unpaid labour is not a rite of passage; it is a clear offense to our worth as future practitioners.

Failing to create change for the next generation of social workers is a disservice to the profession and demonstrates an unacceptable lack of self-advocacy. How can we strive to improve the lives of others if we cannot effectively protect the labour rights of our own?