National Supported Internship Day: Interns reflect on ‘really good’ experience

This week (Monday 27 March) saw the launch of National Supported Internship Day.

Supported internships are a work-based study programme for 16 to 24-year-olds with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

At West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) there are currently several supported interns in place.

The placements have been arranged by Wakefield College in conjunction with Project SEARCH – a transition to work programme for young adults with a learning disability or autism spectrum conditions, or both.

To coincide with National Supported Internship Day, some of the interns reflected on their experiences and the impact the programme has had on them so far.

Georgia said: “My internship has been really good! It’s helped me to gain experience of working in an office and the NHS which I never would have been to do before.

“I really enjoy working with different people and doing the tasks. I’ve also learnt how to use Microsoft Excel to make spreadsheets and I’ve got better at using Microsoft Word. I’ve never applied to a job before but this internship has helped me feel a lot more confident at being able to get a job when I graduate.”

Troy said: “My internship has helped me to get better at using spreadsheets and calendars.

“Through this I’ve become more confident and I hope to get a job after I graduate.”

Andrew said: “My internship has helped me in loads of ways. As an intern I’ve learnt how to work in an office and to use a computer to make surveys and spreadsheets. It’s made me more confident and will help me apply for jobs in the future.”

You can find out more about supported internships on the Project SEARCH website.