New supported internship programme launches with Bridgend County Borough Council

Eight Bridgend College learners have started a new supported internship programme with Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC), in partnership with DFN Project SEARCH and ELITE Supported Employment Agency.

Macey, Tara, Rhys, Ella, Kian, Erin, Gwen and Alfie were welcomed to the Council recently, marking the beginning of a year of training, work experience and development.

The new interns were welcomed by BCBC Chief Executive Officer, Jake Morgan, Leader of the Council, Councillor John Spanswick, Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Jane Gebbie, alongside senior Council representatives and staff who will be supporting the programme.

During the welcome session, the learners heard from BCBC Chief Executive Officer Jake Morgan and Bridgend College Principal and CEO Viv Buckley, who spoke about the opportunities ahead and the importance of working together on their journey into employment. The interns were also introduced to the teams and partners who will support them throughout their placements.

The interns will initially complete three weeks of training before beginning their first 10-week work placement. Throughout the programme, they will complete three rotations across different areas of the Council, giving them the opportunity to experience a range of roles and develop practical workplace skills.

The programme is delivered through the DFN Project SEARCH model, which supports young people with disabilities to develop the skills, confidence and experience needed to progress into long-term employment.

BCBC is one of more than 200 organisations across the UK taking part in the programme, helping to create more inclusive employment opportunities for young people.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Social Services, Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Jane Gebbie, said:

“We are incredibly proud to welcome our first cohort of Project SEARCH interns to Bridgend County Borough Council. This is about much more than gaining workplace experience – it is about opening doors, building confidence and creating genuine pathways into paid employment.

“We know that the transition from education into employment can be particularly challenging for young people with learning disabilities and/or autism. As a council, we have a responsibility to be an inclusive employer and to make sure talent and potential are not overlooked.

“We have already seen the difference these opportunities can make, with two young people progressing from placements at Bryn y Cae to permanent employment. I hope this programme will build on that success and give our new interns the skills, confidence and opportunities to shape their own futures.

“And importantly, this is a two-way opportunity. Our interns have as much to teach us as we have to teach them, bringing new perspectives, experiences and talents into our workforce. I’m really looking forward to seeing what they achieve.”

The new cohort will be supported throughout their placements by Bridgend College staff, BCBC staff and job coaches from ELITE Supported Employment Agency.

Lauren Tomlinson, ELITE Team Leader said:

“ELITE are delighted to be working on the new Supported Internship Project in collaboration with Bridgend College and BCBC. This is a really exciting opportunity for ELITE to work with eight interns, all of whom have so much potential and are already proving themselves to be very capable young people, who have a lot to offer. ELITE greatly looks forward to supporting them with their work skills and development throughout the coming year.”

The programme builds on the success of our previous graduates, Jessica and Chloe, who completed their supported internships at Princess of Wales Hospital. They each completed one of their rotations at BCBC before securing permanent employment through the council and have since become valued members of the team.

Their success demonstrates the positive impact that supported internships can have in helping young people build confidence, gain experience and move into employment.

Bridgend College Principal and CEO, Viv Buckley, welcomed the new interns and spoke about the importance of the partnership in creating opportunities for young people to take steps into the world of work.

Kathryn Sweet, Curriculum Manager for Care, Childhood Studies and Independent Living Skills at Bridgend College, said:

“Seeing the success of Jessica and Chloe, who have progressed from their supported internships into permanent employment with the Council, shows just what can be achieved when young people are given the right opportunities and support. We are incredibly proud of our new cohort and excited to see where this experience takes them.”

“It is fantastic to see our new interns taking this first step into the workplace and beginning a really positive and rewarding year for them. Supported internships give our learners the opportunity to develop their skills and confidence in a real working environment, while receiving the support they need to succeed.

As part of the welcome session, the interns were presented with their new BCBC lanyards by Leader of the Council, Councillor John Spanswick, and Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Jane Gebbie, before receiving Bridgend College goodie bags to mark the start of their journey.

With training, workplace experience and dedicated support, the new interns will now begin their journey towards developing their skills, building confidence and taking their next steps towards employment