Amazon has revealed its intention to increase the number of young individuals with learning disabilities participating in supported internships by fourfold. Mencap, a charity, reported that only 5% of those with learning disabilities are employed despite 86% desiring paid employment. Reasons for this low employment rate include challenges with application processes and insufficient workplace support.
In 2021, Amazon initiated a program offering supported internships to young people aged 16 to 24 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), including autism. Collaborating with DFN Project SEARCH, the company has assisted nearly 300 young individuals at 25 UK sites, with over 80 transitioning to permanent roles at Amazon. This initiative positions Amazon as the largest private sector provider of supported internships in the country.
Participants undergo structured placements at Amazon fulfilment centers, blending classroom education with practical work experience. Each intern is paired with a dedicated job coach who delivers personalized guidance and workplace mentoring to enhance their practical skills, confidence, and independence.
Amazon has declared its plan to expand the program, aiming to assist over a thousand young people with learning disabilities and autism in securing employment by 2030. One success story highlighted is Rhys, who completed a supported internship at Amazon’s Swansea fulfilment center and now holds a permanent position, acquiring skills in budget management, transportation navigation, and routine establishment.
John Boumphrey, Amazon’s UK leader, emphasized the importance of addressing the high unemployment rate among individuals with learning disabilities. He announced the company’s commitment to quadrupling the internship program by 2030, extending support to more than 40 sites across the country.
Sir Stephen Timms MP, Minister for Social Security and Disability, praised Amazon’s decision to expand the internship program, emphasizing the significance of providing equal opportunities for young disabled individuals to thrive in the workforce. He highlighted the government’s efforts to promote youth employment reforms and create 500,000 earning and learning opportunities for young people.