Asda has become the country’s largest supported internship provider after creating 210 new placement opportunities for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) across 35 stores nationwide.
The expansion means Asda’s supported internship programme now operates in more locations than any other UK business, addressing a significant employment gap facing young people with learning disabilities. Only 4.8% of people in England and 4.1% in Scotland with a learning disability go on to secure paid employment after completing their education, compared with around 80% of their peers.
Delivered in partnership with DFN Project SEARCH, Asda’s year-long Supported Internship programme combines real workplace experience with tailored education and employability training, helping young people develop the skills, confidence and experience needed to eventually move into work.
Since Asda began working with DFN Project SEARCH in 2023, 43% of interns have progressed into employment – be it with Asda or another business. With fewer than 6% of young people with learning disabilities in paid work nationally, supported internship programmes like Asda’s play a vital role in helping participants take their first steps into the workplace.
The expansion comes at a time when policymakers and employers are increasingly focused on tackling youth economic inactivity and creating more pathways into employment for young people who face barriers to work.
James Goodman, chief people officer for Asda, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be expanding our Supported Internship Programme and giving more young people with special educational needs the chance to gain real workplace experience.
“Supported internships have been shown to be an effective route into work and we’ve seen first-hand the difference these placements can make, helping young people to build confidence and take important steps towards paid employment. As we continue to grow the programme, we hope more young people can benefit from supported internships and the opportunities they create to build skills, gain experience and move into work.”
Kirsty Matthews, CEO of DFN Project SEARCH, said: “We are delighted to see the expansion of our successful programmes with Asda. Through such strong employer partnerships, we are showcasing the incredible impact that supported internships can have.
“We’re so grateful to work with companies like Asda because they demonstrate that when businesses make disability inclusion a priority, everyone benefits. These young people have so much to offer, and programmes like this give them the platform to showcase their talents and build meaningful careers. We look forward to continuing to work with Asda to reach our overall goal of supporting 10,000 young people into employment by 2030.”
