Bridgend County Borough Council launches Project SEARCH supported internship programme
Thursday 10 September 2026
Bridgend Country Borough Council has welcomed its first cohort of Project SEARCH supported interns, marking the launch of the programme at the council.
This month, eight supported interns began their training with Bridgend County Borough Council as part of DFN Project SEARCH, a programme which supports young people with learning disabilities and/or autism to gain skills and experience in the workplace.
This is the first year that the council has supported the programme, working in partnership with Bridgend College, Elite Supported Employment and DFN Project SEARCH.
Many people with learning disabilities and autism find the transition to the workplace difficult after leaving school or college. This initiative helps young people grow their confidence and secure meaningful, paid employment.
Over the course of the programme, the interns will complete three 10-week rotations across a range of council services, giving them experience of different roles and workplace settings.
The council has previously supported two interns through workplace placements at its Bryn y Cae care home. Following their placements, both secured permanent roles at the home.
“We are incredibly proud to welcome our first cohort of Project SEARCH interns to Bridgend County Borough Council. This is about much more than gaining workplace experience — it is about opening doors, building confidence and creating genuine pathways into paid employment. “We know that the transition from education into employment can be particularly challenging for young people with learning disabilities and/or autism. As a council, we have a responsibility to be an inclusive employer and to make sure talent and potential are not overlooked. “We have already seen the difference these opportunities can make, with two young people progressing from placements at Bryn y Cae to permanent employment. I hope this programme will build on that success and give our new interns the skills, confidence and opportunities to shape their own futures. “And importantly, this is a two-way opportunity. Our interns have as much to teach us as we have to teach them, bringing new perspectives, experiences and talents into our workforce. I’m really looking forward to seeing what they achieve.”
“It is fantastic to see our new interns taking this first step into the workplace and beginning what we hope will be a really positive and rewarding year for them. Supported internships give our learners the opportunity to develop their skills and confidence in a real working environment, while receiving the support they need to succeed. “Seeing the success of Jessica and Chloe, who have progressed from their supported internships into permanent employment with the Council, shows just what can be achieved when young people are given the right opportunities and support. We are incredibly proud of our new cohort and excited to see where this experience takes them.”
