Employers invited to event to support young people with disabilities into work

Employers across Shropshire are being invited to a networking lunch aimed at supporting them to find out more about how supported internships can support their businesses.

The event, hosted by Shropshire Council, is on Thursday 22 February 2024 at midday-2pm at the Council Chamber, Shirehall, Shrewsbury.

The Supported Internship programme is a Department for Education-funded project that helps young people aged 16-24 with an Education and Health Care Plan to access a one academic year work-based learning opportunity.

Interns spend at least 70% of their time at an employer base and 30% at college, similar to an apprenticeship but unpaid, and with the support of a job coach who can provide systematic job training. The programme aims to help interns develop the skills and confidence they need to secure paid employment in the future.

Internships

At the event, you will have the chance to:

• Hear a brief presentation about the programme and its outcomes
• Meet and talk to employers who are currently involved, and interns themselves
• Network with other local businesses and organisations
• Ask any questions you may have and share your feedback
• Find out how Access to Work funding can support employers and staff
• Enjoy a complimentary lunch and refreshments.

What are the benefits of a Supported Internship for employers?

Encouraging applications from people with a range of abilities is good for business. It helps employers to:

• Increase the number of high-quality applicants available to them
• Create a reliable workforce that reflects the diverse range of customers it serves and the community in which it is based
• Bring additional skills to the business
• Get to know one another (employers and interns), and saves recruitment costs if interns are hired at the end of the programme.

Kirstie Hurst-Knight, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children and education, said:-

“Our Supported Internship event is a fantastic opportunity for businesses to find out more on how they can help support and develop our young people’s independence and employability skills in the workplace.

“Not only does the Supported Internship benefit the young person, giving them the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in a working environment; they can be hugely beneficial for the employer filling vacancies and reducing employer’s staff turnover, ultimately saving them time and money.

“All young people, particularly those with disabilities, should have access to employment, and be able to get that extra support to help them take those first steps into paid work.

“If you’re a business in Shropshire please do come along and find out more; we look forward to seeing you on Thursday 22 February.”

To register for the event, visit Eventbrite Registration.  Please book by Monday 19 February 2024. Or contact charlotte.kelly@shropshire.gov.uk to confirm a place.

Parking is available at the venue: please provide your registration details to reception when signing in.

We look forward to seeing you for the complimentary lunch.

Further information

In September 2022 there were nearly 1.25 million unfilled positions in the UK¹ with over 7.7 million people of working age in the UK with a disability or health condition. ²   86% of people with a learning disability who do not have a paid job would like one ³

¹Office for National Statistics 2022.

²Employing disabled people and people with health conditions – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

³Claire Cookson and Barry Fletcher, CEO of Youth Futures, co-author an article for Learning Disability Today – DFN Project Search