Thousands of young people with special education needs are to get help into long term paid employment through a new government programme.
Supported internships for 16 - 25 year olds who have complex learning difficulties or disabilities will be trialled at 14 colleges in England this autumn.
If successful the study scheme could be adopted by all further education colleges from September 2013.
The programme is backed by £3 million from the department for education and expert job coaches will support interns and employers. Placements, tailored to the individual needs of the young person, will be provided for example at a restaurant, library or clothes retailer.
The aim is to give the interns the platform to break down negative attitudes and show employers what they can do.
Sarah Teather the minister for children and families, said: “We have to be more ambitious and tap into huge potential in people with learning needs. We can’t leave the most vulnerable on the scrapheap, without a way of getting a job and being able to live as independently as they can.
“With appropriate mentoring, even young people with complex needs can shine in a successful business.”
The minister saw how this works in practice at the Rose Project at Havering College of Further & Higher Education in east London, which has operated a supported employment programme for young adults with special educational needs for several years.
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