Asda has doubled the number of spaces on its disability intern scheme, boosting the number of meaningful employment opportunities for young people with learning disabilities or difficulties.
The Supported Internship Programme will be rolled out to 22 Asda stores nationwide, creating 119 year-long placements for students with additional needs.
Delivered in partnership with DFN Project Search, the placements combine real-world experience with tailored education, helping to close the employment gap faced by young people with special educational needs.
The initiative, which was first launched in 2023, has already helped over 70 students grow their confidence, learn new skills and ultimately gain employment once they finish their studies. Nearly half of last year’s interns (46%) went on to secure full-time employment.
Asda’s interim chief people officer Helen Selby said the grocer was “incredibly proud to be expanding our Supported Internship Programme, as we double down on our commitment to helping young people with learning disabilities into future employment.
“This initiative has had a clear and lasting impact on our stores and local communities over the past two years… we’re delighted to be promoting more accessible pathways.”
Asda’s programme forms part of a wider national push to help close the gap and ensure more young people are able to access high-quality permanent employment. As part of the scheme, Asda works with local colleges to ensure the programme provides students with a full-time course of study based at a nearby store, as well as work-based experiential learning every day and a specific employability curriculum.
Only 4.8% of people with a learning disability in England (and 4.1% in Scotland) secure paid employment once they finish education, compared to 80% of their peers.
Kirsty Matthews, CEO of DFN Project Search, said: “I’m delighted to see Asda continuing to expand and build on their commitment to create meaningful employment opportunities for young people with a learning disability, who are autistic, or both.
“We’re incredibly grateful to have host business partners like Asda, whose stores continue 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 too.”
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