Key Points
- Ceremonial Celebration: A graduation ceremony was held at Bolton’s Albert Halls to celebrate 16-to-25-year-old interns with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) completing up to a year of vital work experience.
- Empowering Statistics: Nineteen young people graduated from the local authority’s supported internship scheme, which has entered its second successful year.
- Substantial Career Success: Over half of the 2025/2026 cohort have already secured permanent employment with major regional and national employers.
- Collaborative Network: The initiative operates via a comprehensive local network linking educational providers, major corporate employers, national charities, and the metropolitan council.
- National Framework Integration: Specialist career progression pathways are enhanced by DFN Project Search, a national charity aiming to systematically transform employment opportunities for young neurodivergent people.
Bolton (Bolton Today) July 13, 2026 - Nineteen aspirational young people with additional needs have been formally celebrated at a special civic graduation ceremony in the Albert Halls after successfully completing a rigorous, year-long supported internship programme designed to bridge the gap between education and permanent employment. The high-profile event, hosted during the region's traditional graduation season, recognized the milestone achievements of local learners who gained valuable work experience across various industries, effectively equipping them with the practical skills required to secure full-time, independent career paths. The local authority confirmed that the initiative, now in its second year of operation, has proven to be an overwhelming success, with over half of this year’s graduating class already transitioning into meaningful, permanent jobs with major corporate partners.
What Happened at the Bolton Supported Internship Graduation Ceremony?
The culmination of up to twelve months of intensive vocational training was marked by a formal certificate presentation in the heart of the borough. The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Mohammed Iqbal, personally presented certificates of achievement to the town's supported interns during the ceremony at the Albert Halls. The event brought together family members, educational mentors, civic leaders, and corporate employers to applaud the resilience and growth of the participants.
The ceremony serves as a public validation of a programme explicitly structured around the needs of young people who hold an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP). By honoring the nineteen graduates publicly, the organizers aimed to demonstrate that structural barriers in the contemporary jobs market can be systematically dismantled through targeted, localized support frameworks.
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Who Participated in the Bolton Work Programme Network?
The delivery of the supported internships relies upon a multi-agency partnership that unites public sector oversight with private enterprise and specialized academic institutions. This year's graduates were integrated into the scheme through an expansive array of local education providers, including:
- Lifebridge ASEND
- Woodbridge College
- Bolton College
- Bury College
- The Manchester College
- Preston College
On the commercial side, prominent national and local employers provided the essential operational environments for the interns. Businesses offering long-term work placements and vocational skill training included the online retail giant Amazon, supermarket chain Asda, and hospitality group Greene King.
Furthermore, interns studying via Lifebridge ASEND and Bolton College received specialized curriculum assistance from DFN Project Search. This national charity initiative explicitly targets employment inequalities by introducing a data-driven instructional model to help young people with additional needs secure competitive employment.
What Did Local Leadership Say About the Success of the Internships?
As reported by Saiqa Chaudhari, the Audience & Content Editor of The Bolton News, local authorities have expressed immense pride in both the individual achievements of the participants and the structural efficacy of the program.
Reflecting on the wider socio-economic impacts of the initiative, Cllr Rabiya Jiva, Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, stated that the local authority remains dedicated to inclusivity within the workforce:
"We want to offer everyone in Bolton the opportunity to find a job they love and become more independent."
Cllr Rabiya Jiva, Bolton Council
Cllr Jiva further emphasized that young people with special educational needs and disabilities are frequently undervalued by traditional recruitment operations, noting that they possess significant potential that remains untapped by the regional economy. As reported by Saiqa Chaudhari of The Bolton News, Cllr Jiva stated:
"Young people with special education needs and disabilities are often overlooked on the jobs market, yet they have valuable skills and abilities that are an asset to business. To all the employers and partners involved in delivering this programme, I'd like to say a huge thank you for providing the life-enhancing experiences you've provided for the interns taking part."
How Has the Work Programme Impacted Previous Graduates?
The long-term viability of the supported internship model was underscored during the event by the appearance of alumni from the previous academic cycles, demonstrating the continuity of the career pathways created by Bolton Council.
Mo Khalil, a graduate from the 2024/2025 cohort, joined the civic celebrations specifically to present the prestigious 'Intern of the Year' award to one of this year's outstanding achievers. Sharing his personal journey from an insecure learner to a contracted employee, Khalil offered transparent reflection and encouragement to the new graduates. As documented by Saiqa Chaudhari of The Bolton News, Khalil stated:
"I couldn't believe I got hired after my internship. The programme's been amazing for me. My advice to the interns if you have challenges, don't give up. Just remember to believe in yourself and know how your friends, family, and everyone who cares about you is proud. I believe in myself and didn't give up and look where I am now! I'd recommend it to anyone as you're in the real world and can step up."
Khalil's testimony provided the audience with empirical proof of the scheme's core objective: converting short-term placements into sustainable, long-term employment contracts within the "real world."
How Can New Applicants Access the Bolton Supported Internship Scheme?
With the contemporary session concluded, Bolton Council has shifted its focus to recruiting the next wave of local learners. The supported internships are permanently available to all young people residing within the borough who are aged 16 years and over, provided they possess a valid Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP).
According to information published by the local authority, prospective applicants, parents, and care providers can access comprehensive entry requirements and alternative path specifications directly via the Bolton Council Local Offer website.