National Supported Internships Day 2026
Employers urged to unlock ‘untapped talent’ through Supported Internships
On National Supported Internships Day - the 27th of March, we are urging employers to rethink traditional recruitment methods and unlock hidden talent through Supported Internships.
Supported Internships offer young people with special educational needs and disabilities the opportunity to gain real work experience while developing the skills and confidence needed for long-term employment.
Juan, who is currently taking part in a Supported Internship programme at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Heathrow Windsor, said:
“I enjoy the wide variety of jobs and experiences I get during my internship. All the staff are extremely friendly, and my Job Coach is very supportive - she’s always available if we need anything.”
Juan’s Mum, Amanda, said the experience has significantly increased her son’s confidence and independence, and helped him develop key employability skills such as timekeeping, organisation and initiative.
Amanda added: “From early on, the programme had a positive impact. My son quickly grew in confidence thanks to the strong support from work coaches, teaching staff and the hotel team. The structured settling-in process and the time given to become familiar with the workplace meant he felt prepared before starting job rotations.
“The most significant change has been his confidence and self-belief. He is now optimistic about his future and hopes to work full-time in a hotel kitchen and learn to drive. As a parent, I feel incredibly proud of him and grateful that he has been given the opportunity to start realising his potential.”
Nikki Bagnall, Human Resources Manager at Delta Hotels by Marriott Heathrow Windsor, said: “Juan has shown real commitment and enthusiasm, and has become a valued member of the team. He is punctual and helpful to everyone, and he even won ‘Intern of the Year’ at our 2025/26 awards last month. Supported Internships are a fantastic way for employers to identify talent that might otherwise be overlooked and the support we’ve received from Ways into Work’s job coaches has made it much easier to provide young people like Juan with meaningful work experience.”
Our CEO, Maurice George, said: “Inspiring stories like Juan’s show exactly why employers should view Supported Internships as a long-term investment in talent. The majority of barriers we encounter when speaking to businesses about inclusion are driven by fear - fear of getting it wrong, fear of saying the wrong thing or fear of legal complexity. But when employers lean into that uncertainty and ask for support, the results can be transformative for young people, their families and employers.
“Disabled people have ambition, agency and drive. When employers adapt their approach - even slightly - they open the door to committed and capable employees who might otherwise be overlooked. Inclusion doesn’t require perfection. It requires willingness. When employers are open to doing things slightly differently - such as making recruitment processes genuinely accessible and considering alternative assessment methods - everyone benefits.”
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