Asda has expanded its supported internship programme, as it reaffirms its commitment to creating employment opportunities for young people with learning disabilities or difficulties.
The supermarket has doubled the number of interns and stores participating in this year’s programme, with the move coinciding with national inclusion week which runs from 15 September to 21 September.
Over the coming weeks, 119 students are expected to start a placement across 22 Asda stores nationwide.
The programme offers year-long placements that combine real-world experience with tailored education.
Delivered in partnership with charity DFN Project Search and Wilberforce College, the scheme aims to tackle the employment gap facing young people with special educational needs.
It forms part of a national push to help more young people get into high-quality permanent employment.
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The grocer highlighted that only 4.8% of people in England and 4.1% in Scotland with a learning disability went on to secure paid employment once their education finished, compared to 80% of their peers.
Asda will continue to work with local colleges as part of the programme, with the scheme providing students with a full-time course of study based at a nearby store, as well as access to work-based experiential learning every day and a specific employability curriculum.
Asda interim chief people officer Helen Selby 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.”
It comes after Asda Opticians launched a training scheme for budding optometrists earlier this month, as it boosted investment in staff development.
In February, rival supermarket Aldi also unveiled plans to hire more than 500 new apprentices in 2025 as it continued its expansion around the UK.
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