A NEW supported internship programme designed to help young people with additional learning needs into employment will launch this autumn through a major partnership between Coleg Cambria, DFN Project SEARCH and Ysbyty Wrexham Maelor.
Based at the hospital, the one-year programme will begin in September and aims to bridge the gap between education and employment by giving students real-world experience within a busy NHS environment.
Initially offering places for six interns, the programme is open to young people with an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) or an Individual Development Plan (IDP).
Delivered through Coleg Cambria’s Independent Living Skills (ILS) department, the supported internship will see participants rotate through a range of roles across the hospital, helping them develop practical skills, confidence and independence while receiving tailored support from employability mentors and job coaches.
The initiative forms part of a wider drive to create more inclusive routes into employment across North Wales, bringing together education, healthcare and specialist supported employment partners. By embedding learners directly into the workplace, the programme aims to equip them with the experience and skills employers are looking for.
Jo Green, Curriculum Director for ILS at Coleg Cambria Northop, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for our Interns to gain real, hands-on experience working within a hospital environment.
“Through our supported internship programme, interns can build confidence, develop essential employability skills, and work towards greater independence.
“This partnership provides a meaningful pathway into employment, allowing learners to experience workplace expectations while being fully supported to achieve their potential.”
The programme builds on more than a decade of evidence from existing DFN Project SEARCH sites, which have consistently shown supported internships can significantly improve employment outcomes for young people with learning disabilities.
Tracey Amos, Operation Lead for Widening Access and Supported Internships at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, added: “In collaboration with our partners, we are delighted to launch the new DFN Project SEARCH programme at Ysbyty Wrexham Maelor in September.
“Over the past decade, evidence from our existing sites has consistently demonstrated the programme’s positive impact, delivering meaningful benefits for both interns and staff.”
The initiative is expected to play an important role in opening up career opportunities while supporting local workforce needs, helping transform the lives of participants and encouraging more inclusive recruitment practices across the region.
For more information and to apply, visit Coleg Cambria.
