Internship Contract Agreement Template for the Philippines

When establishing an internship program in the Philippines, you need a comprehensive legal framework that protects both your organization and the intern while ensuring compliance with Philippine labor laws. An Internship Contract Agreement serves as this essential foundation, creating clear expectations and legal protections for all parties involved in the training relationship.

When do you need this document?

You require an Internship Contract Agreement whenever your organization hosts students or trainees for structured learning experiences. This includes university students completing academic requirements, vocational trainees participating in dual training systems, or professionals seeking hands-on experience in your industry. The agreement is mandatory when your internship program exceeds 40 hours or involves regulated industries requiring DOLE oversight. You also need this document when academic institutions require formal agreements for credit-bearing internships, or when offering paid internship positions that could be classified as employment relationships. International students participating in Philippine internship programs particularly benefit from having formal agreements that clarify their legal status and rights.

Key legal considerations

Your internship agreement must clearly distinguish between educational training and employment to avoid unintended labor law obligations. Include specific clauses defining the educational nature of the relationship, supervision arrangements, and learning objectives tied to academic curricula. Address intellectual property ownership for any work created during the internship, particularly important in technology, research, or creative industries. Establish confidentiality obligations to protect your organization's proprietary information while allowing interns to complete academic requirements. Include health and safety provisions that meet workplace safety standards without creating employer-employee relationships. Consider liability insurance coverage and clearly allocate responsibility for workplace injuries or damages. If providing stipends or allowances, structure these as educational support rather than wages to maintain the training relationship's legal status.

Legal requirements in Philippines

Philippine law requires internship agreements to comply with DOLE Department Order No. 40-03, which mandates written training agreements for on-the-job training programs exceeding 40 hours. Your agreement must include specific training objectives, duration, supervision methods, and evaluation criteria aligned with academic institution requirements. For higher education internships, ensure compliance with CHED Memorandum Order No. 104, which requires institutional partnerships and academic oversight. The Labor Code of the Philippines applies to certain aspects of internship relationships, particularly regarding workplace safety and non-discrimination. If your internship involves minors, obtain parental consent and ensure additional protective measures under Philippine child labor laws. Regulated industries may require pre-approval from relevant government agencies and inclusion of industry-specific safety protocols. Document all training activities and maintain records as required by both DOLE and academic institutions for compliance verification and program evaluation purposes.