Liverpool City Council has been awarded more than £360,000 to fund a unique pilot project that will provide assistance to young people in Liverpool to find employment. The Council is one of 12 local authorities to have successfully bid for the national supported internship programme pilot aimed at young people with neurodiverse conditions, including special educational needs and learning difficulties who are without an Education Health and Care Plan, and who want to take part in a structured work-study placement.
The Department for Education has approved the grant funding to Liverpool on the strength of its successful Intern to Work Supported Internship Programme over the past 12 months, which funded 55 young people to employers, including both public entities, such as the NHS and HM Revenue & Customs, and private companies such as Holiday Inn, Marriott and The Sovini Group, and with many of them offered permanent positions at the completion of their internships.
It is expected that over the two-year pilot, around 70 young people will participate in the six-month internships, invited to participate in information sessions online or in person. The pilot’s objective is to provide young people with a structured path into the working world. Each intern receives a six-week program in an education setting, such as City of Liverpool College, that helps them to become ‘work-ready’ and identifies a suitable employer who matches their interests. Throughout the internship, interns will have to attend college once a week to develop their skills.
There are also several opportunities for employers to take part and provide placements for the internships. Employers who want to participate can attend a Business Breakfast at the Holiday Inn Express, Royal Albert Dock on Wednesday, 27 March, from 10 a.m.-noon, to mark National Supported Internship Day. More details on Supported Internships can be obtained on the Council’s website. Inspiring case studies are also available on Intern to Work’s YouTube channel.
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