USP College proudly celebrated the achievements of its first cohort of Supported Internship students, who completed their work-based programme at Amazon Tilbury. The majority of the students have now been offered full-time positions at Amazon - a remarkable milestone and testament to the success of the project.
The programme, launched in October 2024, is delivered in partnership with Amazon, ECL, DFN Project SEARCH, and Essex County Council. It combines structured classroom learning with practical work placements at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Tilbury. The internships are tailored to support young people aged 16 to 24 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or equivalent.
Achievements of students were recognised at a celebration event, students were joined by their families, job coaches, mentors, and college staff to mark their hard work and personal development throughout the year. The atmosphere was one of pride and inspiration as certificates were awarded and success stories shared.
One parent commented:
“We’ve seen Jake grow in leaps and bounds in both communication and confidence, especially working in groups. The last nine months have seen him drastically change. It has been a long journey, but he has done very well in creating his independence – and now he has it.”
The impact of the programme was clearly reflected in the words of students themselves.
“I’ve learned a lot of new things, including the processes and skills needed in the different departments across the fulfilment centre,” said Timi. “It’s interesting to learn how items are received, sent out and managed at different stations. I’ve really enjoyed being on the shop floor and getting that hands-on experience.”
Hayden added: “I have learned a lot of new life skills, and things that I didn’t know before. I’ve loved meeting new people, making friends and hearing their stories, too.”
Both students noted how valuable the support from Amazon staff was during their internship.
“Everyone was really good at breaking information into smaller chunks so we could understand the processes,”
“They made sure things were explained in a way we understood, and would help in any way they could.”
When asked what advice he would give to himself on the first day of the internship, Hayden said:
“Be confident, and don’t be nervous even though you’re not sure what is going to happen. Trust the process. It will all work out in the end.”
Kirsty Matthews, CEO of DFN Project SEARCH, praised the students’ development and the programme’s wider impact:
“We are incredibly proud of Timi, Hayden, and all those completing their supported internships this year. Each and every one of our interns graduating has shown that with the right support and opportunities, young people with a learning disability, who are autistic, or both, can thrive in the workplace.
“Our partnership with Amazon continues to open doors that might otherwise have been closed, proving that inclusive employment isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business.”
Supported internships like this aim to address the significant employment gap faced by young people with SEND. Nationally, fewer than 5% of adults with a learning disability known to local authorities are in paid employment, despite 86% expressing a desire to work. Programmes like this are helping to turn the tide by equipping students with the skills, confidence, and real-world experience they need to succeed.
USP College is now preparing to welcome its second cohort of Supported Internship students, building on a hugely successful first year. To find out more and apply please visit uspcollege.ac.uk.
