A full-time, structured work-based educational programme offered by colleges and training providers for young people, (aged 16-24) with identified additional needs and where the majority of their time is spent within the workplace.
The structured study programme includes on-the-job training with a local employer, supported by expert job coaches, an employability programme looking at the soft skills of employment, vocational profiling to identify a student’s skills and qualities and the chance to study for relevant qualifications, where appropriate.
Job coaches provide support to employers, increasing their confidence of working with young people and helping them to understand the business case of employing a diverse workforce.
The support given to both the intern and employer, by a job coach, is fully funded by Access to Work – a Department for Work and Pensions grant.
Supported internships aim to help young people gain paid employment by giving them the skills and experience by learning in the ‘real’ workplace.
There are different models of supported internships which can be flexible to meet your business need. For example, interns spend:
- all of their time with the employer, undertaking learning, delivered by the education provider, within the workplace environment
- one day a week with the educational provider and approximately 15 to 20 hours per week with the employer
The model appropriate for the employer’s business needs can be discussed with the education provider.
There is no cost to the employer as the intern is in full time education.
There is no obligation to employ the young person at the end of the placement, however, supported internships are the perfect form of working interview, should there be a suitable vacancy.
The overall goal of supported internships is for young people with additional needs to move into paid employment.
For more information about supported internships, please either contact your local education or training provider or email economy-mailbox@devon.gov.uk.