Supported internships

Supported internships are aimed at young people with a learning disability, aged 18 to 24 

They support entry to employment

The internship is based mainly with an employer and usually lasts a year, the aim is that you will move into employment.

A supported internship is a new type of learning that is made up of an unpaid work placement of at least six months and study that, where possible, leads to a relevant qualification and includes the chance for you to improve your English and maths.

Case study

Matty

Matty started a Project Search supported internship in September 2017 after finishing Entry 1, Entry 2 and Entry 3 Employability and Lifeskills courses at college. He was offered a place on Project Search, but he was worried about starting it. His advice would be to ‘stick at it, you’ll be glad you have done it in the end’. Find out why Matty was glad ...

Read more abou Matty's story (132kb PDF)

In Kirklees, supported internships are run by Kirklees College and are available at its Dewsbury and Huddersfield Centres.  In Calderdale, supported internships are known as Project Search and are run jointly with Calderdale College and Calderdale NHS, with support from Calderdale Local Authority.

The Kirklees programme is over three days, with learners spending one day in Kirklees College and two days on placement with an employer. During the first six weeks of the programme, students will be college-based doing a range of work-based activities, including developing work-related skills and possibly doing some volunteering in the community. Support will be based on individual need in college and/or at the work placement. The college work placement co-ordinator will find the placement, liaise with employers and monitor the student's progress while on placement.

All learners will:

• take part in a range of work preparation activities
• work to improve English and maths and if appropriate take a formal qualification
• have a weekly tutorial
• be on an individual work placement for at least six months with an external employer.

Find out what these interns and their work colleagues think about internships:

• Kyle, Sam and Fenton - interns at Ravenshall School, B&M Bargains and Unite Students Union
• Jonathan - intern at the Coop
• Marsha - intern at Huddersfield Leisure Centre

The Calderdale programme is called Project Search, it lasts a year and is for students with an EHC (Education, Health and Care) plan. Learners are on placement for five days and spend an hour at the beginning and end of the day learning work related-skills in the 'Hub Room' at Calderdale Royal. Project Search is for those who are looking to go into full-time, paid employment and want to learn the skills needed. Initially, learners will do the work and training in some of the Calderdale NHS Trust departments, where they will be supported by a job coach. They may then go on to a work placement with other local employers. There will be an introductory summer school before the course starts, delivered by staff from C&K Careers.

All learners will:

• go on different ‘placements’ in different jobs within the host employer’s organisation, Calderdale NHS. Calderdale NHS will also work with other local businesses to provide opportunities
• have regular support at the start of the day and a de-brief at the end of the day
• take part in classroom-based learning to develop the skills needed to move straight into full-time employment at the end of the internship.
  
  

Want to talk to someone?

Your C&K Careers school or college careers adviser can help and advise you – get in touch with the careers team in school/college.

Or:

Ring 01484 242000 and ask for your careers adviser by name if you know it or press '0' to speak to someone who can help

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Get in touch with your nearest centre: Dewsbury Careers Centre Halifax Careers Centre Huddersfield Careers Centre Page updated July 2018