Five interns graduate from our award-winning Supported Internships programme

Yesterday, at our Torrington Office, five interns graduated from the award-winning Supported Internships programme.

The interns started working throughout our organisation in September last year and completed their nine-month placement on Monday this week.

Callum Klapatyj, Arun Sharma and Adrian Townshend have all completed internships with our Estates and Services Team, while Matthew Davis has worked alongside the Finance Team and Andrew in the Engagement Team.

Our Supported Internship programme is in partnership with Hereward College, in Coventry. Each intern has a job coach from Hereward College who supports them and helps them flourish throughout their placement with us.

The project has been running for three years and to date has helped five people secure permanent employment across our organisation.

The graduate celebration ceremony yesterday brought everyone together to celebrate all that has been achieved throughout the last nine months and our Director of Business Improvement and Engagement, Will Walker, was on hand to present everyone with their certificates.

Claire Hardwick, our Head of Customer Involvement and Engagement, said: “Yesterday was such a fantastic day. It was great to get everyone together and celebrate all their achievements.

“The Supported Internships have allowed everyone to gain skills, confidence and work experience throughout the last nine months.”

“They have all done a great job and wish them all the best in the future!”

Callum, who has completed his Internship in our Estates and Services Team, said: “I found the Internship really useful. It’s been fantastic to get hands on experience in a working environment.

“The team at Citizen and Hereward College couldn’t have been more helpful. I can’t thank them enough for all their support.”

Paul Cook, Principal at Hereward College, added: “It’s always a pleasure working with Citizen, an employer who feels as strongly about getting young people into employment as we do.

“The students who have graduated today should be very proud of their achievements throughout their supported internship. A huge thanks to everyone who has supported them along the way.”

Our Supported Internships programme won the 24housing Award for Best Apprenticeship Scheme last year.

A further five Supported Interns have been recruited to start this September across the organisation. These students will be working in the Estates and Services Team, our Engagement and Facilities Team.

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