Bringing employers and education providers together to deliver Supported Internships for young people with learning disabilities aged 17 - 25

Only 6% of people with learning disabilities are in paid employment in the UK.

Yet according to Mencap, 65% of people with learning disabilities want to work.

Supported Internships can help to bridge this gap.

National Grid’s model for Supported Internships is based on a partnership between businesses and local SEN schools/colleges with Access to Work funding for Job Coaches.

We have achieved great results so far with 60% of our supported interns going into paid employment.

 Find out more

Supported internships can transform young peoples lives

Read the stories of some of our supported interns  who have gone into paid employment.

Taurais story

Around the age of one Taurai was diagnosed with meningitis and soon after with autism. He now works as a Sustainability Support Analyst at National Grid.

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Georges story

George was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome when he was five. He now works for National Grid in Human Resources as a Resourcing Advisor. 

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Latest News
Changing lives in a Covid-19 world

National Grid established our ‘EmployAbility, Let’s Work Together’ programme of Supported Internships in 2013. Since then over 100 students have benefited from the programme within National Grid and, many more, with Companies that have fo... Read More

Careers and Enterprise Company - EmployAbility Toolkit

Careers and Enterprise Company - The EmployAbility Toolkit

This toolkit has been developed in partnership to promote employment opportunities for people with special education needs. 

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An overview of EmployAbility and National Grid

An overview of EmployAbility and National Grid 

https://bcove.video/2ys8khp

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Testimonies
Edward Timpson, former Children and Families Minister

“National Grid’s initiative fits in with what we are trying to achieve through our SEND reforms – to help children with additional needs to achieve their best by putting their needs at the centre of the system".  

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Justin Tomlinson, former Minister for Disabled

"At a time when there is a near-record number of vacancies in the economy employers need to think outside the box and try new approaches to recruit the best candidates for their business".

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