CommunityLFC backs council's Supported Internship Scheme for fourth consecutive year

The unique programme works to bridge the gap between education and employment for young people with learning disabilities or autism, to help prepare and support them for the world of work.

With recent figures showing that just 4.5 per cent of people in the north west with learning disabilities or autism are in paid employment, the Supported Internship Scheme encourages organisations across the region to be more diverse, inclusive and innovative, while creating work-based opportunities for 16-to-24-year-olds with special educational needs.

Since 2018, LFC has supported the programme by working in partnership with several interns, their educational providers and trained job coaches to deliver meaningful work opportunities for the cohort.

The scheme has seen interns work across various areas of the business, taking on tasks like preparing stadium concourses with our retail catering team, assisting with casual staff vacancies in our staffing department, and preparing matchday food for hospitality guests in our busy kitchens.

As a result of these placements, LFC is delighted that every intern that has been engaged on the programme is now employed on either a casual or permanent basis at the club.

Paul Cuttill, vice-president of stadium operations, said: “The Supported Internship Scheme has been an immensely beneficial programme for the club, the interns themselves and the teams of staff they work alongside.

“We have seen the interns grow significantly over the time that they have been with us, and they offer real value to our organisation – they are incredibly talented people.

“We’re delighted that as a direct result of the programme, all work placements have led to either permanent or casual job roles within the club.

“As a club we encourage businesses across the region to get involved and support the scheme, not only to demonstrate the type of employer they are, but to provide a pathway to paid employment and greater independence for this group of talented individuals.”

Learn more about the Supported Internship Scheme, or find out how your business can join a movement that provides hugely positive outcomes for young people in the region, here.

LFC is committed to hiring great people representative of a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because we believe it makes our club stronger.

If you share our enthusiasm and passion for inclusivity, you can find out more about our current vacancies here.