A bold model built to support students from classroom to career
The programme will welcome 10 interns from our college diploma courses, young people identified by teaching and support staff here at Boomsatsuma — who chose to step forward after learning about this opportunity.
The focus is on real work, not just learning. Our students are referred to as trainees, not interns — because this is about progression. They’ll spend four days a week on placement with two days on professional development, all supported by a dedicated job coach. Everything happens in a workplace environment, and trainees are treated like staff from day one: lanyards, email addresses, pro-rata holiday — the full experience.
“Young people without EHCPs often fall through the gaps — they don’t always get the support they need, to access employment after finishing education, that’s why we’re so excited to pilot this programme. It’s a chance to prove that with the right guidance, these trainees can thrive in real creative roles. And with digital heritage projects on the horizon, there’s a real buzz — they’re exciting, meaningful, and give young people the chance to work on something that connects the past with the future.”
Richard Blows, Head of Venture Studio
Why this matters
Creative careers don’t follow a straight line — and for some young people, stepping from college into work isn’t simple when the usual routes don’t fit. Our new supported internships open up a different path: practical and designed to make a real impact.
Our trainees will build portfolios on real projects in digital heritage and content creation and, when the programme ends, they’ll have the potential to keep working with us as freelancers — gaining credits, experience and confidence to take on future opportunities.
Building a Future That Works
This isn’t just about one group of young people. It’s about testing a model that can help many more with additional needs find their place in the creative industries and the world of work. Through hands-on projects, mentoring and real-world experience, we aim to give young people the tools to thrive, helping them avoid obstacles before they even arise.
This pilot is part of the Internships Work Programme— a partnership of NDTi – National Development Team for Inclusion, BASE (British Association for Supported Employment) , and DFN Project SEARCH , funded by the Department for Education.
