portsmouth supported internship programme
Delivered by Portsmouth City Council and City of Portsmouth College
an internship programme that transforms lives
What is this programme?
Supported internships are a structured, work-based study programme for 16 to 24-year-olds with SEND, who have an education, health and care (EHC) plan. The core aim of a supported internship study programme is a substantial work placement, facilitated by the support of an expert job coach.
Supported interns are enrolled and supported by a learning provider, for example, a school or college, but spend most of their learning time – typically around 70% – in a workplace.
The internships provide the opportunity for young people to achieve sustained, paid employment by equipping them with the skills they need for work, through learning in the workplace.
Working together to help you
All three parts of this partnership play a key role in providing the best possible outcomes for the participants.
All participants are enrolled and taught as City of Portsmouth College students, benefitting from experienced teaching and all the independence that being a college student brings you, expert tutors provide employability skills and functional skills qualifications.
Portsmouth City Council have been able to provide excellent placements through their internal departments and external contracted partners, they have also provided a base room within the civic offices for participants to use.
Empowering Employment are delighted to provide the professional BASE Trained Job Coaches who support on placement and help guide the participants into paid employment
Jake completed an internship in 2023. After building his skills and experience he went on to his first ever paid role.
His job is at ComservUK, a local business with experience in providing responsive repairs and maintenance solutions to local authorities and housing associations. Using a diverse team of skilled Operatives, Comserv currently undertake around 400 visits to customer homes each day carrying out repairs, void works, disabled facilities, and planned maintenance works.
Is this right for me?
The Portsmouth Supported Internship Programme is open to young people between the ages of 18-25 who live in the PO1 – PO6 area.
You must have an EHCP and must be willing to become a City of Portsmouth College Student. You must also be aware that at the end of the programme, your EHCP will cease.
A year of success
The trial programme in 2023/2024 was a huge success, with four out of the six participants securing paid employment before the work trials ended.
Both of our external businesses, Voi Scooters and Commserv, offered employment to our participants and have asked to be a part of the programme again in 2024.
Minstead Trust were also so impressed with one of the participants that he was offered a supported apprenticeship at The View Café.
The programme has seen interest spike and the cohort for 2024/2025 looks to have doubled in size
contact us
Find out more about our services for employers or job seekers with a friendly initial chat with one of our employment experts.