Meet the Amazon supported interns picking up skills for life

Supported interns at Amazon, left to right, McCorley Willis, Sam Dean, Aaron Oliver, Kieron Harrison, Hasan Ramzan and Joey Burnett
-Credit:Amazon


Seven supported interns are picking up skills from a unique training programme to prepare them for future employment.

The super seven have all been taken on at Amazon’s Stockton fulfilment centre, as part of the DFN Project SEARCH supported internship programme. It aims to transform the lives of young adults with a learning disability, autism, or both, by supporting them into meaningful employment.

In Teesside, Amazon’s Stockton branch is working with the Education Training Collective (ETC) to deliver the programme that’s helping the young interns get off to a flying start. Following a bustling festive season, Sam Dean, 20, of Ingleby Barwick, described the programme as an “amazing experience”.

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He said: “I have learnt so much already, like independence and confidence. I had never taken the bus by myself before, now I travel to work and back every day.”

Supported interns, left to right, Joey Burnett, Hasan Ramzan, McCorley Willis, Kieron Harrison, Sam Dean and Aaron Oliver
Supported interns, left to right, Joey Burnett, Hasan Ramzan, McCorley Willis, Kieron Harrison, Sam Dean and Aaron Oliver -Credit:Amazon

“It feels great to be getting work experience in one of the biggest companies in the world,” said 20-year-old Aaron Oliver from Norton. “Looking back a few years, I never thought I would be here doing this.”

For some it might sound like small achievements, but for the supported interns, every step is a milestone.

Etc tutor, Jake Brookes, said: “This is a group of young people who want to be here. Everyone at Amazon loves them and their enthusiasm and commitment has been incredible.”

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The supported interns are aged 18 to 24 and all have education health and care plans. They have previously progressed through college and are now looking to build the independence skills to ultimately move into full-time employment.

A typical day starts with time in the classroom dusting up on employability and personal development skills, before starting work on the shopfloor. The supported interns will complete the year-long programme with a King’s Trust personal development and employability qualification.

McCorley Willis, 18, said: “If you had put me in a room with six random people before I don’t think I could have even spoken to them. The programme has challenged me. It has built my independence and my time management.” As for his family, he added: “They are chuffed, my mum cried at one point and my dad is really proud.”

Joey Burnett, 19, from Norton, said: “Before I came here, I was applying for different jobs but not getting anywhere. This is giving me so much experience which should help in the future.”

While having previously studied motor vehicle studies at Stockton Riverside College, Kieron Harrison, 20, of Billingham, has combined his career ambitions with his heart now set on a job working on the yard shunters.

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All are inspired to work towards future permanent careers in the warehousing industry, but it is some of the personal achievements that mean most. Withee Ikah, 21, of Thornaby, has not only developed additional employability skills. He said, on a more personal level, the tasks involved – such as picking and packing – have helped to build his fine motor skills.

Hasan Ramzan, 19, of Thornaby, said: “Working in the warehouse has been calming, the people are very friendly, I’m developing my social skills.” And, a personal milestone for him, after trying many times before, with the support of his tutor he added: “I have even learnt to tie my shoelaces!”

Amazon Stockton site leader, Richard Griffiths, said: “It has been great to have all the young people on board at Amazon in Stockton-on-Tees, through the supported internship programme. They’ve brought a lot of energy to the team, and they should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved so far.”

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