Over 1,000 young people applied to Coop Bank’s internship programme
29.04.2026
This year, more than 1,000 applications were submitted for 16 internship positions at Coop Bank. The most popular choice among applicants was the bank’s business analysis department.
Interest in the internship programme has grown year on year. While around 740 young people applied last year, this summer’s programme attracted well over 1,000 applicants.
“Our aim is for applying for an internship to be as similar as possible to applying for a real job. This allows young people to gain valuable experience and confidence early on, which they will need when entering the labour market,” said Janika Valliste, Head of HR at Coop Bank. According to her, the greatest interest was in business analysis, although internships in software development and private loan management were also highly popular.
Valliste emphasised that an internship at the bank does not mean simply observing from the sidelines. Young people are actively involved in daily work and projects. “They take part in meetings, contribute to projects and gain real experience of what it means to take responsibility and carry tasks through from start to finish,” she explained.
The value of the programme is also reflected in the fact that several interns have later joined Coop Bank as employees. “Developing future talent through internships is one of the most reliable ways to find strong employees for the future,” Valliste added.
In addition to internships, Coop Bank also offers a variety of job shadowing opportunities, allowing interested individuals to explore different roles and even observe the work of the bank’s CEO. The bank also collaborates with other organisations to enable interns to exchange experiences and learn from one another. For example, Coop Bank works with the TalTech Development Fund and awards four scholarships each year, which may also include an opportunity to intern at the bank.
According to Valliste, educational institutions play an important role in the growing popularity of internship programmes. “Universities are doing an excellent job of bringing young people and employers together, whether through internship fairs, career events or collaborative projects,” she noted.
This year’s interns will begin on 1 June, and the internship will last for three months.
