Young people with learning difficulties or disabilities, who want to increase their employability skills and find paid work, are being invited to apply for a Project SEARCH internship.
Each year, Bath & North East Somerset Council provides internships from September through to June in professional work environments.
The interns learn transferable skills working in three different departments for ten weeks.
During their time at the council, the interns receive on-site tutoring from Bath College and Job Coach support from Virgin Care.
The partners also work with local organisations to help interns find vacancies and apply for jobs.
Applications are now being invited for this September’s intake of new interns.
Councillor Dine Romero, Bath & North East Somerset Council Leader said: “This is the 12th year we’ve run Project SEARCH and over that time it’s proved hugely successful with our graduates finding community-based employment through the programme.
“It really is a fantastic way to experience the world of work while developing employability skills.
“At a time when the average employment rate in the UK for adults with a learning difficulty or disability has dropped to just six per cent, it’s essential we provide opportunities like this to help more young people find sustainable employment.”
Project Search is open to young people with learning difficulties or disabilities who are aged 18-25. If you know someone who would like to apply for a placement visit: www.bathcollege.ac.uk/project-search and complete the application form.
Most placements will be based in council departments around Bath city centre, however in the 2nd and 3rd terms, placements in Keynsham are used.
Following successful completion of the nine-month internship, graduates are presented with certificates at a ceremony in front of an audience of family members, programme partners, local businesses and council staff.
