LNER Champions Young Yorkshire Talent Through Supported Internship Programme

LNER and City of York Council offer a range of placements in partnership with York College, who co-ordinate the Supported Internship programme. 

The scheme acts as a transition year for young people aged between 18 and 24 with a current Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP), who are ready to leave education and move into employment, developing their employability in a host business. 

Each intern develops key skills to help them build relationships and transition into the workplace through structured placements with LNER and City of York Council, which include work experience and classroom-based sessions where tutors and a specialist job coach support the cohort with interview practice and workplace skills. 

Rachel Fowler, Programme Coordinator and Tutor at York College, said: “I’m really proud to be supporting an amazing group of young people, as they make the transition into employment. This year’s cohort have gone from strength to strength, as they have built up their confidence and skills during their time at LNER and City of York Council.” 

Speaking about his placement at LNER, Adam Charlesworth, said: “I’ve had the opportunity to spend time with the safety and IT teams over the past few months learning more about the business. The best part of this whole experience has been being made to feel accepted and valued in a working environment, without being judged by unfair stereotypes.” 

Giselle Hales, Future Talent and Onboarding Manager at LNER, works closely with York College to coordinate with LNER managers to host young people in an area of the business that aligns with their skills and interests.   

Giselle said: “Our ‘Ignite’ Future Talent programmes provide a range of opportunities that support young people to explore, practice and gain experience in the workplace not only to help them find work, but to begin a meaningful career. Managers at LNER are passionate about people and take every opportunity to help these and other talented young people fulfil their potential through meaningful contribution to the railway and the communities we serve.” 

Councillor Robert Webb, the Executive Member for Children, Young People, and Education at City of York Council, said: "Supported Internships provide an important route for young people with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities to gain valuable experience in the work place, giving them the confidence and skills to secure employment in the future. Our Supported Interns are doing a great job and National Supported Internship Day is a wonderful opportunity to thank them for their efforts and to raise awareness of supported internships with other potential future supported interns and potential employers as well."

Applications are now open for the September 2026 Supported Internship intake, with a recruitment day taking place on the 22 May 2026.  

Further information about the York College Supported Internship course can be found here:  https://www.yorkcollege.ac.uk/study/supported-internship-education-health-care-plan