This summer, United Colleges Group celebrated another cohort of interns graduating from its longstanding Supported Internships programme, equipping young people with skills required to succeed in the workplace.

United Colleges Group’s Supported Internships programme helps 17-24 year olds with an Education Health & Care Plan (EHCP) develop crucial employability skills in a bridging year after their education to get ready for the world of work. The programme partners with a range of host businesses to offer interns a ‘real world’ job experience, nurturing their confidence, professional behaviour and interview skills to set them up for success in paid employment.

Many of this year’s graduates have earned City & Guilds Employability Skills qualification and Maths & English qualifications, bolstering their CV even further as they begin interviewing for paid work opportunities.

Graduates from this year’s programme were spread across a host of London businesses and took part in a variety of skills-building activities across the academic year. For example, Westminster City Council interns spent one day per week of their internship with a teacher in Westminster City Hall, and the rest of their days on work rotations with the council or associated employers in roles covering administration, retail, hospitality and gardening.

This year, Charing Cross Hospital interns spent one hour each morning with a dedicated tutor, before completing work rotation in departments including Microbiology, Pathology, IT and Maintenance. In previous years, Charing Cross Graduates have gone on to paid roles as Porters, Laundry Technicians and Patient Dining Supervisors within the hospital and other paid work and apprenticeships externally.

Thanks to United Colleges Group’s strong, positive relationships with wider London institutions, the Supported Internship programme also extends to Brent Civic Centre in Wembley Park and Goldman Sachs in Farringdon. What’s more, as well as a dedicated tutor, interns receive professional guidance from a job coach on site, helping to develop their confidence in the workplace.

Jasmine Jade, Supported Internships Curriculum Manager at United Colleges Group, said “A massive congratulations to all our interns who have graduated this year on the programme. It’s a huge leap from college to the world of work and our interns should all be proud of taking that step. They have gained the skills and qualities needed to be successful in employment and ready for their future careers.”

Many of the interns on this year’s Supported Internship programme are alumni of United Colleges Group, having previously graduated from courses at City of Westminster College and College of North West London. Promoting high aspirations in the learning community and setting student alumni up for success with tangible, supportive internships is reflective of United Colleges Group’s commitment to deliver outstanding world class education and skills and enhancing professional outcomes.

For more information about United College Groups Supported Internship programmes, visit City of Westminster College https://www.cwc.ac.uk/courses/supported-internships or College of North West London https://www.cnwl.ac.uk/courses/section/supported-internships.