Fifth-Year Running for WLC’s Supported Internship Fair

The fifth annual Supported Internship Fair took place at West London College last week on Tuesday 26 November 2019. A record number of students came along, totalling just under 600 throughout the day. On offer were 15 Supported Internship programmes across West London, rising to 21 next year and providing 240 places for inclusive learners. Many colleges, training providers and employers set up stalls and took part in the seminars to make the day a success.

The event, hosted by West London College was co-ordinated by the West London Alliance. Eight boroughs make up the West London Alliance – Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, Ealing, Hounslow, Brent, Harrow, Hillingdon and Barnet. 

Colleges from the region were also present including the College of North West London, Barnet and Southgate College, City and Islington College and Westminster Kingsway College.

Four interns who took part in the programme, some of whom have gone on to gain apprenticeships and permanent jobs, gave motivational speeches to very appreciative audiences.

The interns who spoke were: Alastair Nelson who is now employed by Gail’s Bakery, Daniel Fesoom, a supported intern with L’Oreal, Will Goold, who got a full-time Inclusive Apprenticeship as a Learning Support Assistant at West London College and a part-time job with Nando’s and Joe McSweeney, a supported intern at Hilton Heathrow Terminal 5.

Visitors to the event were welcomed by West London College Principal, Karen Redhead OBE in her opening talk, and speakers also included Camila Mujica-Braesyde, Project Manager for Employability in North West London at the Imperial College Healthcare Trust, based at Charing Cross Hospital. 

Angie Hincks who organised the event said: “It was a great event, thank you to all the speakers, organisations, employers and visitors who made it all such an excellent experience.”