A Liverpool training provider will offer structured internships for 70 young neurodiverse young people across the city region in a scheme funded by Liverpool City Council. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool training provider The Learning Foundry is to offer structured internships for young neurodiverse young people who will enter the workforce by the end of 2025.
As part of a national pilot scheme, Liverpool City Council secured £360,000 and has tasked The Learning Foundry with its delivery.
This pilot is for young people with special educational needs, learning difficulties, and/or a neurodiverse condition who don’t have an Education Health and Care Plan and would like to take part in a structured work-study placement.
Throughout their time on a supported internship, each learner will spend six weeks at The Learning Foundry’s city centre campus. They will be coached to become “work ready while dedicated job coaches work with employers to find placements.
These will be carefully chosen to match the interests of the learners. Claire Lee, managing director at The Learning Foundry, said: Offering supported internships gives us the opportunity to work towards our mission of making talent shine for all people.
“We’ve got a track record of supporting young people in Liverpool city region to access the skills they need to gain meaningful and sustainable work.”
Kate Bull, director of economic strategy, skills and sustainability at Liverpool City Council, added: “This funding endorses the commitment that Liverpool has already given to supporting inclusive opportunities for young people.
READ MORE: New jobs as auto repair firm secures £1.8m
READ MORE: Building firm backs new Liverpool bike hub
“Our Intern to Work programme has seen great success over the last few years in helping young people who may feel excluded from the jobs market to develop the skills and confidence needed to gain employment.
“Our partners, such as The Learning Foundry, are very much part of this success and we thank them for supporting our young people as they take their first steps on the career ladder. They, and we, could not do this without you.”