SDL Translation Intern Programme FAQ
The programme takes place at our Sheffield office in Northern England. The office is located in Sheffield city centre. Sheffield is a large city, close to other major cities Manchester and Leeds.
What are the dates of the programme?
SDL Sheffield runs two six-month translation training programmes a year. The first runs from 1 April to 30 September and the second from 1 October until 31 March. If the start or end date falls on a weekend, the programme begins or ends on the closest weekday.
Do I need to be available for the full six months in order to apply?
Yes. All applicants must guarantee their availability for the full six months, from either the first working day of April or the first working day of October. SDL cannot accept applications from applicants who are not available from the first working day of the relevant start month, as there is an initial intensive training schedule for the first three weeks of the programme.
What tasks are interns expected to complete during the programme?
During the programme, SDL interns are required to carry out various localisation-related tasks (i.e. translation, review, glossary creation, DTP check, testing etc.). They work under the supervision of a tutor, an experienced translator from their language group, whose role it is to help them improve their skills and ensure the programme runs smoothly. All SDL translators work exclusively into their mother tongue and deal with a range of content including games, technical (e.g. automotive, websites, software, user manuals), legal, business and marketing.
How many vacancies are there per language?
Competition is very steep for the training programme. Each language has only one or two vacancies for each intake. Please note that language vacancies shall vary from one intake to another. Please see application form for current requirements.
Will there be a possibility of a permanent position with SDL following completion of the programme?
The SDL translation work placement is a good professional opportunity and, quite often, if an intern has performed well, and provided a position is available, he/she may be offered an in-house position at SDL, either in Sheffield or in one of our other European offices.
What language combination do I need in order to apply?
All SDL translators work exclusively into their mother tongue. The programme is currently open to applicants whose mother tongue is French, Spanish, German, Italian, Dutch . Native speakers of French or Spanish resident in Canada, the USA or Latin America are welcome to apply providing they hold an EU passport or similar documentation allowing them to work in the UK indefinitely.
French, Spanish, LA Spanish, German, Italian and Dutch applicants need to have studied English to at least degree level as the majority of translation for these languages at SDL Sheffield is undertaken from English.
What criteria must I meet in order to apply?
All SDL interns must be native speakers of the language they translate into. They must also have studied the source language at least to degree level or equivalent and the degree qualification must be held for English.
All applicants must demonstrate either some translation experience (e.g. university translation projects etc.) or a desire to pursue translation as a career.
How do I apply?
Applications should be sent by email, in English, using the online application form accompanied by a current CV. You will receive an acknowledgement email confirming receipt of your application form.
When is the earliest I can send in my application?
Applications for the April programme cannot be accepted before the first working day in December of the previous year. Applications for the October programme cannot be accepted before the first working day in June of the same year. If you apply before the stated application date, please note that the application will only be dealt with approximately 4 months in advance of the programme starting date, so please be patient.
When is the deadline for submitting applications?
All applications for the April programme must be received by mid-January in the same year (online application form will give final deadline). All applications for the October programme must be received by mid-July in the same year (online application form will give final deadline)
What is the application process?
All applicants who are considered suitable for the programme will be sent a translation test pack. This will contain a number of test pieces to be translated into their mother tongue. and the source language of the translation test pieces will be English.
What is the deadline for returning completed translation tests?
Applicants will receive a schedule outlining the time-scale for the application process.
How should I return my completed translation tests?
Tests should be returned in the same Microsoft Word format as they were received. Applicants should overwrite the source language with their translations.
The completed file should be named Test_LANGUAGE_NAME.doc before it is returned.
What criteria are used for the evaluation of the tests?
The tests are assessed on criteria such as accuracy, understanding of the source text, style, choice of register and attention to detail.
How long will it take before the results of the evaluation are known?
Completed tests are evaluated to determine a short-list for the programme. The process takes a long time (but refer to schedule for time-line) and the final decision is not made until about a month before the programme starts, so please be patient. If your circumstances should change at any time during the application process, or if you decide at any point that you are no longer interested in joining the programme, please inform SDL as soon as possible.
Will there be an interview?
Once a short-list has been drawn up, a brief telephone interview may be required. The tutor for the relevant language will contact you to arrange this interview. Please note this interview might be conducted in English for French, Dutch, German, Italian, Spanish applicants,
Do interns receive feedback on their progress during the programme?
Yes, interns' day-to-day work is evaluated on an ongoing basis, and their progress is assessed formally usually three times during the course of the six months. This formal evaluation is carried out by the intern's tutor and is followed by a one-to-one meeting to discuss the feedback. These regular evaluations form the basis for the decision as to whether to offer the intern a permanent position with SDL on completion of the programme.
Do interns need to wear a suit while at SDL?
The dress code at SDL is smart-casual. It is not necessary to wear a suit. Within reason, casual dress is generally acceptable (although not shorts or bare feet!) as long as employees' overall appearance is neat and tidy.
Are there any visa/passport requirements?
The SDL translation training programme offers full-time employment for six months, and there is a possibility of full-time employment on completion of the training. SDL is unfortunately currently unable to obtain visas or work permits for applicants applying from outside Europe, and it is a prerequisite that interns hold an EU passport or official documentation allowing them to work in the UK indefinitely. Applicants in receipt of sponsorship or a grant allowing them to work in the UK may apply, as long as they can guarantee their availability for the full six months starting in either April or October.
Please note that it is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that their passport and other travel documentation is up-to-date and valid before pursuing an application. If you know that your passport arrangements will take a long time, please inform SDL as soon as possible as this may affect your ability to start the programme on the given start date.
Do interns receive a salary or grant while completing the programme?
SDL pays all interns a monthly salary of around £700 (pound sterling) net to help with living expenses. The exact amount is reassessed every year but is always around this figure. As a guide, accommodation is usually around £250-£300 a month.
When is the salary paid?
Salary is paid to all interns monthly, in arrears. You should therefore ensure you have enough funds when you arrive to pay for your living expenses during the first month, your first month's rent for accommodation, plus a deposit for your accommodation, if applicable (normally equivalent to one month's rent), as you will not receive your first salary payment until the end of the first month.
Is accommodation provided, or does SDL provide help finding accommodation?
Accommodation is not provided with the programme, but SDL is happy to forward details of landlords to successful applicants so that rented accommodation can be arranged before the programme begins. Further information regarding accommodation will then be sent to successful applicants before they arrive.
Accommodation is usually around £200-£300 a month. Landlords will usually require a deposit, normally equivalent to one month's rent, which is payable at the start of the tenancy, and returnable at the end provided there is no damage to the property. Landlords will generally require payment of rent in advance, i.e. one month's rent on arrival. Some landlords also require references (e.g. from a previous landlord or an employer). Rented accommodation is usually a room in a shared house, sharing with either other SDL interns or the landlord. If you have particular requirements, such as a room in a house without dogs or cats, these can be taken into account when SDL selects potential landlords. Please note that most landlords will not allow smoking in the house.
What is the most convenient airport for me to fly into?
Sheffield can be reached easily by train or road from Manchester, Leeds-Bradford or East Midlands airports. There is also Doncaster-Sheffield airport, which will be serving the continent, including Italy, Spain, France, and also Dublin.
What is Sheffield like?
Sheffield is the fifth largest city in the UK and also the greenest. Sheffield is situated at the gate of the Peak District, ideal for hikers and climbers. As in the rest of England, pubs are definitely a part of Sheffield's culture. Sheffield hosts 2 theatres (Crucible, Lyceum), 2 main musical venues (Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield Arena) and 2 universities. Several cinemas are available, including The Showroom, which is situated in the town centre and shows foreign films. There are several sports centres: Ponds Forge, adjacent to the SDL Sheffield office, is a fully integrated facility offering access to all kinds of sports and activities, and there are also other swimming pools, squash, tennis, volley badminton courts, football and rugby pitches, parks etc. The Ski Village is an all year dry ski slope. For those who like shopping, the third largest shopping mall in Europe, Meadowhall, is located near Sheffield. The tram system in Sheffield allows easy access to all parts of the city.
Does SDL pay any relocation costs?
SDL does not normally pay any relocation costs to interns. In exceptional circumstances, such as for interns arriving from outside Europe, a proportion of the air fare may be refunded, but this will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Do interns receive paid holiday entitlement?
Interns receive 10 working days paid holiday over the six months. Holiday may be taken at any time, subject to departmental approval, and providing sufficient notice has been given.
Do interns receive paid sick leave?
No, interns do not receive paid sick leave during the six months of the programme.
Should I arrange insurance before arrival in the UK?
Interns are insured while at work to the same extent as other SDL employees. Interns should arrange any additional insurance they require outside of work themselves, such as insurance for personal belongings. Medical insurance is not required as interns can register with an NHS doctor and dentist.
How do I register with a doctor and dentist in the UK?
Interns are encouraged to register with an NHS doctor and dentist when they arrive in the UK. SDL will provide assistance and further information at the start of the programme. Please note that treatment provided by an NHS doctor is free of charge. NHS dentists, however, will charge a small fee to their patients.
Is it possible to do freelance work while completing the Intern Programme?
Interns are not permitted to undertake secondary paid employment, such as freelance translation assignments, while employed by SDL.
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