Building Pathways to Work – ECL’s Supported Internships with Amazon
ECL’s Inclusive Employment service works in partnership with colleges and employers to deliver Supported Internships for young people in Essex. In this case study, two of our second year Amazon Supported Internship graduates share their experience.
For young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), deciding what to do after education can feel overwhelming. Supported internships combine classroom learning with real workplace experience, offering an attractive alternative to university courses or apprenticeships.
ECL’s Inclusive Employment service works in collaboration with colleges and employers like Amazon to deliver Supported Internships for young people in Essex between the ages of 18 to 24 with a current Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
Working in partnership with the charity DFN Project SEARCH, ECL provides job coaches, on-site workplace support, and training for both students and employers. The result is a structured, supportive environment where young people obtain the skills, experience, and confidence they need to secure paid, meaningful employment.
By joining forces with USP College, and host employer Amazon ECL has placed and supported a total of 13 interns Amazon's fulfilment centre in Tilbury over the last two years. The collaboration has been a resounding success with the majority of students (76%) going on to secure paid employment.
This case study highlights the experiences of two interns: Isaac and Vincent, who both recently graduated and have secured paid work at Amazon thanks to the programme.
Amazon’s nationwide supported internship programme launched in 2021 and has grown to support almost 300 young people into employment. The internships combine classroom education and practical work experience in various roles within an Amazon fulfilment centre, where items are stored, packed, and shipped. Students also get to experience operational job functions to gain an understanding of how Amazon’s processes work.
Interns spend five days a week on-site, combining classroom learning with real work experience in the fulfilment centre. The college sessions cover employability skills, health and safety essentials, English and maths.
ECL job coaches provide daily support, while USP College tutors deliver the academic elements and Amazon mentors guide interns in the workplace. This structured approach ensures they gain both practical experience and essential life skills, preparing them for sustainable employment.
Isaac’s Story: Building Confidence and Independence
Isaac Moorhouse, aged 20, joined the programme after hearing about it at college.
“I liked the idea of learning and working. I felt the job would suit me,” he explains.
Isaac enjoys physical activity and problem-solving and quickly found that the warehouse environment suited him. His favourite role is in packing:
“I like pack best as it’s methodical. You have a screen telling you what size box and what label to use. I like the process.”
Like many interns, Isaac was nervous at first. However, with support from ECL job coaches and the wider Amazon team, he quickly settled in.
“I was nervous on my first week, but after that I was more confident coming into work.”
ECL also supported Isaac with travel training, helping him learn how to commute independently from Leigh-on-Sea to Tilbury.
“I had to learn how to get the train, get a ticket and work out the train times… and walk to work from the station.”
Over the course of the year, Isaac’s confidence and resilience has grown significantly. He says: “I have learnt that I am more confident than I thought. I’ve realised I like helping people.”
Isaac has secured a full-time role at Amazon. He is looking forward to earning his own money, saving for the future, and working towards personal goals - including learning to ride a motorcycle and pursuing his ambition of becoming a wrestler.
His advice to others considering an internship is simple: “Don’t be nervous – be confident and you will do well.”
I liked the idea of learning and working. I felt the job would suit me...I have learnt that I am more confident than I thought.
Isaac Moorhouse
Vincent’s Story: Gaining Real-World Experience
Vincent Thomas-Fink, aged 18, took a thoughtful approach when deciding his next steps after education. Having completed A-levels in maths, biology, and chemistry, he considered university and apprenticeships before choosing a supported internship.
“I felt that university wasn’t for me at this stage… an internship gives you relevant work experience as well as education,” he says.
Vincent valued the opportunity to gain real-world experience in a structured and supportive environment. He particularly enjoys the routine and discipline of the work.
“I like the methodical style of the work… I enjoy getting my head down and getting into the flow of the job.”
The programme also exposed him to different aspects of working life, from health and safety to workplace communication. He says:
“You learn about workplace etiquette, how to communicate with your seniors and peers, and how to handle interviews and performance reviews, all things that school and college don’t really teach you.”
Because Vincent had already completed his English and maths qualifications, he took on an additional role supporting his peers in the classroom. This helped him develop new skills in communication and leadership. He says: “I’ve learnt how to break things down to help others understand… and to see things from other people’s perspectives.”
Like Isaac, Vincent appreciated the structure of the working day, commenting:
“I like that I can switch off when I get home… it’s different from college where you still have to think about coursework and exams in your free time.”
Vincent also secured a job at Amazon after completing the internship. He plans to build up his savings and invest in his future.
I’d recommend a supported internship to anyone who wants real-life work experience… it really prepares you for the world of work.
Vincent Thomas-Fink
The role of ECL
A key factor in the success of the programme is ECL’s on-site support. Job coaches work with interns every day, helping them learn tasks, build confidence, and develop workplace behaviours.
Isaac reflects: “The ECL job coaches have been very helpful to me… reminding me of what I need to do and the processes to follow.”
Vincent adds: “I know there is always someone I can ask if I need any help.”
ECL Job Coach Clare Jenkinson has seen significant growth across the cohort, she says:
“We’ve seen a lot of changes in the interns since their first day. They’re more resilient, their attitude to work has transformed and they’ve grown in confidence – it’s been a real pleasure to see them grow and to see them become more independent.”
ECL also works closely with employers, providing guidance and training to managers to ensure they can support interns effectively. This creates a fully inclusive environment where both interns and staff can succeed.
Interns bring enthusiasm, dedication, and fresh perspectives to the workplace, helping to build more diverse and inclusive teams.
We’ve seen a lot of changes in the interns...they’re more confident, more resilient and their attitude to work has transformed.
Clare Jenkinson, Job Coach, ECL
Sy Ahmed, Amazon Learning Business Partner says:
“All of the interns this year have done so well. Over the course of a year, they’ve not only grown in skills and confidence, they’ve also flourished as individuals. They’ve each brought something different to the team and it has been fantastic to see the benefits of this not just among the students but also among their colleagues on the shop floor, who have found their enthusiasm and positivity infectious.
“Being the largest private sector provider of supported internships in the UK is something Amazon is incredibly proud of. We have more than 130 young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) graduating from Amazon supported internships this summer across 26 sites. All of our graduates leave us ready to embark on their careers confident that they have the skills and the experience they need for success and we wish them all the very best for their future endeavours.”
Creating Opportunities Across Essex
ECL’s work with Amazon demonstrates how successful supported internships can be when education providers, employers, and support services work together.
By partnering with local colleges and businesses, ECL is helping to expand opportunities across Essex. Its Supported Employment model includes:
- Creating partnerships with employers
- Delivering on-site job coaching and training
- Supporting both interns and workplace teams
- Helping young people transition into paid employment
- Challenging and changing perceptions about inclusive employment.
Isaac and Vincent’s journeys highlight the confidence, independence, and career opportunities that internships can deliver – anything is possible when the right support is in place.
Through its partnerships and expertise, ECL is helping to bridge the gap between education and employment for young people with SEND. As the programme continues to grow, it provides a strong example of how inclusive employment can work – delivering real results for individuals, employers, and communities across Essex.
“You learn about workplace etiquette, how to handle interviews and appraisals…things that school and college don’t teach you.”
Vincent Thomas-Fink, Amazon Supported Internship Graduate