Asda doubles internship scheme for young people with additional needs
The initiative is designed to help address a persistent employment gap: only 4.8% of people in England and 4.1% in Scotland with a learning disability are in paid work, compared with around 80% of their peers
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Asda is expanding its supported internship scheme for young people with learning disabilities or difficulties, doubling both the number of students and participating stores for the 2025 intake.
The programme, run in partnership with the charity DFN Project Search, will see 119 students start year-long placements in 22 Asda stores nationwide. The scheme combines daily workplace experience with a tailored employability curriculum and formal study provided through local colleges.
The retailer said the expansion coincides with National Inclusion Week, which began on 15 September.
Helen Selby, Asda’s interim chief people officer, said: “We’re 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. With 46% of last year’s interns securing jobs after their placement, we’re delighted to be promoting more accessible pathways.”
The initiative is designed to help address a persistent employment gap: only 4.8% of people in England and 4.1% in Scotland with a learning disability are in paid work, compared with around 80% of their peers.
DFN Project Search aims to support 10,000 young adults with learning disabilities or autism into paid employment by 2030. To date, it has supported more than 2,900 people, including over 70 through Asda placements in the past two years. Of the 66 students who took part in the 2024/25 cohort across 11 stores, 46% have already secured jobs.
Kirsty Matthews, chief executive 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.”
