Friday June 26th 2026
The interns show off their work at the Greenock Town Hall event
Written by Glasgow View Reporter, Liam Eunson
The first year of a pioneering initiative to support autistic young people and young people with learning disabilities into work has been hailed as a success.
Project SEARCH Inverclyde is an employment-focussed education programme which is designed to help people with the transition from leaving school to employment. It has just completed its first year in Inverclyde with 12 interns taking part.
All 12 successfully completed the year and are expected to receive offers of permanent work. Together with their friends and family they celebrated their success at a special graduation ceremony in Greenock Town Hall.
Chair of Inverclyde Alliance Board, Councillor Elizabeth Robertson attended the graduation and congratulated all the interns on their success.
She added: “I’m delighted that Project SEARCH has been a success in Inverclyde and has had such a positive impact on our young people.
“The feedback from the young people, their parents and the employers where they spent their internships is overwhelmingly positive.
“The Alliance Board is all about bringing partners together for the benefit of everyone in Inverclyde and this project is a great example of the good that can be done.”
The Inverclyde Alliance Board is a partnership within the Community Planning Partnership for Inverclyde which brings together representatives from a wide range of public and third-sector organisations including Inverclyde Council, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Scottish Fire and Rescue, Police Scotland and West College Scotland.
Councillor Francesca Brennan, vice-chair of the Inverclyde Integration Joint Board which manages the HSCP, and convener of Inverclyde’s social work and social care scrutiny panel, also attended the event in Greenock Town Hall.
She said: “It was an honour to be invited to this inaugural event and I would like to congratulate all the interns on their wonderful achievements.
“The feedback shows that this project has had a positive impact on the workplaces as well as for the interns.
“Well done to everyone involved.”
Based on the internationally recognised DFN Project SEARCH model, the programme supports the young adults with real workplace experience, mentors helping to develop employability skills and tailored, person-centred support to help them move into paid employment.
The project was initiated and led by Inverclyde HSCP, with part funding and support from Inverclyde Council, and run in partnership with Unity Enterprise, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and West College Scotland, and supported by DFN Project Search.
The interns worked at schools across Inverclyde in office, kitchen and janitorial roles, In HSCP day opportunities services, as well as in libraries, in NHS catering and portering roles.
Some feedback from the interns, their parents and employers include:
“Thank you for teaching me new skills, these few weeks have been incredible and unforgettable.”
“Project SEARCH has been such a positive, life-changing experience for Jessica and we can’t thank you enough.”
“We absolutely adore Sophie she has really fitted in. She is such a knowledgeable lady, if she is interested in something her brain is like a week sponge! She is so happy and positive, we have enjoyed her being here.”
“Jessica’s creative side shone through when she was writing Christmas Cards for Book Bags going to individuals who are unable to access the library, she wrote a lovely personal message and hand illustrated each one. After seeing this we asked Jessica to be in charge of decorating one of the Central Library windows for our Christmas display.”
Robert Spiers, Head of Learning Disability from Unity Enterprise, said: “This graduation marks a significant milestone not only for our interns, but for everyone involved in bringing Project SEARCH to Inverclyde. Over the past year we have seen young people grow in confidence, develop workplace skills, and move closer towards sustainable employment.
“The success of the programme highlights what can be achieved when organisations work together with a shared commitment to inclusion and opportunity.”
As well the real-life supported internships, the young people received classroom support at West College Scotland and worked towards a range of qualifications including the Employability Group Award at SCQF Level 4.
Paul Martin, Head of Pathways and Communities at West College Scotland said: “The intake for 2026/27 continues to fill up but anyone interested in finding out more should contact Tom Marner at tom.marner@wcs.ac.uk.”
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