Coleg Llandrillo and Asda Supported Internship in the running for ‘People’s Choice’ award

Coleg Llandrillo’s Supported Internship programme with Asda is in the running for the annual DFN Project SEARCH ‘People’s Choice’ award.

The internship is a partnership between the college, Asda Llandudno and DFN Project SEARCH - a charity that works with employers and education providers to transform work opportunities for young people with a learning disability and/or autism spectrum condition.

Six learners are currently on the internship at Asda Llandudno, receiving theory and on-the-job training at the superstore while working on various sections including food, cleaning, portering, self-service checkouts, clothing and more.

The People’s Choice competition is held every year to mark National Supported Internship Day (March 27). It gives supported internship sites a chance to showcase their creativity, teamwork and engagement in a bid to earn the most public votes and be crowned the winner.

Throughout this week, the Coleg Llandrillo Supported Internship team have been running a stall at Asda Llandudno encouraging shoppers to vote, as well as creating social media content to showcase the programme. Follow this link to vote.

The programme at Asda, which is in its first year, is already developing the skills and confidence of the interns.

Claire King, DFN Project SEARCH Head of Quality Assurance, visited the store recently and was impressed by what she saw.

She said: “For a first-year programme it’s doing pretty amazing. I came here last summer when we first met with the young people as part of their application process and interview, and the difference in those young people in just a few months is huge.

“They all stand with more confidence, they’re really clear in what they’re doing and the terminology they use - it’s amazing. You can see all the skills they’ve learned, and they only started in September, so they’re only halfway through the course.

“So it just shows that programmes like this, which offer those opportunities for that real-life practice with targeted support, are really beneficial.”

Tracey Hockin, Skills for Life and Work lecturer at Coleg Llandrillo, said: “The Pathway 4 Supported Internships provide fully immersive, on-the-job training for people with learning disabilities and/or autism.

“There are no barriers to the experience learners can gain on these programmes. They are welcomed and based at the host business, complete their training, wear the uniform and are treated as members of staff.

“With the teaching and support of the college and host business staff, they develop the skills and confidence needed to be able to access paid employment, whether that’s with the host business or elsewhere. These programmes have a positive impact and improve their life chances.”

Samantha McIlvogue, Coleg Llandrillo Assistant Principal, said: “Our Supported Internship programme with Ysbyty Glan Clwyd has an established track record of providing interns with a pathway into employment, and the Asda Llandudno programme is on track for similar success in its first year.

"We're very proud of all our interns for the progression they've made during their time on the programme, and of our staff for helping them to develop valuable skills, confidence and experience. We're also very grateful to our partners at Asda Llandudno and DFN project SEARCH for helping to get the programme off to a successful start.”

Asda Llandudno operations manager Aaron Sulivan said: “As an equal opportunities employer we have been delighted to provide an opportunity for these young people to develop skills and break the barriers into paid employment, with the support of DFN Project SEARCH and Coleg Llandrillo.

“It has been lovely to see the confidence build and their personalities shine through during their time in the store, and I wish them all the success in the future.”

Grŵp Llandrillo Menai also runs the Pathway 4 Supported Internship programme with Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Bodelwyddan, Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor, and with Agoriad Cyf and Betsi Cadwaladr in Dolgellau.

All are one-year internships supporting young people with a learning disability and/or autism to gain the skills, experience and qualifications to move into paid employment. To learn more, or to apply for September, click here or go to www.gllm.ac.uk/courses/pathway-4-supported-internship

To vote for Asda Llandudno and Coleg Llandrillo’s Supported Internship team in the DFN Project SEARCH ‘People’s Choice’ competition, click here.