“They build us up”: Midlands young person gains skills to succeed through Amazon supported internship

Supported internships are structured work-based study programmes for young people aged 16 to 24 with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or equivalent. 

The internships equip young people with the skills, experience and confidence they need to secure paid, meaningful employment. For young people with a learning disability and/or who are autistic, barriers to employment are particularly acute, with less than 5% of adults known to local authorities currently in paid employment across England, despite 86% wanting to work¹. 

Supported internships at Amazon combine classroom education and practical work experience in a number of roles; all within an Amazon fulfilment centre, where items are stored, packed and shipped. Many young people who have completed a supported internship at Amazon have gone on to secure permanent roles at the company. 

Colby Baker is among more than 80 people with SEND who will graduate from a supported internship across 17 Amazon sites this year. He shared what he’s learned whilst working at Amazon to inspire others to take part in the programme. 

Colby is on the supported internship programme at Amazon in Sutton-Coldfield. He started his internship in September of last year and graduated this month. 

As a student at Heart of Birmingham Vocational College, Colby studied subjects like English and maths, while also gaining hands-on experience of the workplace through work placements. Before starting with Amazon, he previously worked as a caretaker in a primary school on a part-time placement. 

“My favourite thing about this supported internship is learning about different roles within all the different departments,” said Colby. “There’s receive, pack, shipping and more - I’ve found I’ve learned something new in each department.” 

Colby also found his supported internship beneficial to the development of his soft skills. 

“The number one thing I’ve learned is probably patience,” he said. “It’s the biggest thing with a job like this. 

“Teamwork is important too – you must work as a team. You can’t just stand there and hope someone comes and sorts things for you. If you need help, you can ask for it! Timekeeping is another one. I used to be very bad with timekeeping, but now I’ve gotten better at it.” 

Colby says he owes his success to his determination and the support he’s received from co-workers: 

“I’m proud of how I’ve stuck at it. You know how it is – some days I felt like I didn’t want to do it, but I pushed on and I got through it, and I’m so glad I did.” 

“The team here is very helpful. They deal with us based on how we are as individuals of all different levels and needs, and they build us up. They help us more beyond just putting us into one role and leaving us to it.” 

Colby continued: “I would probably encourage myself to be more motivated if I could talk to myself on my first day. I’ve been working on that ever since.” 

What’s Colby’s plan for when he finishes his supported internship at Amazon? 

“My plan is to get a full-time job here,” he shared, “and work towards being more independent. I know all the basics of the job now, so I think I’m well capable to do it on my own.” 

What would Colby say to anyone else considering a supported internship at Amazon? 

“I would say give it a go and try to stick to it. If it’s not your thing it’s not your thing, but if you do like it then throw yourself into it.” 

Colby completed his supported internship at Amazon in June. His success was celebrated at a graduation ceremony, which was attended by his family and Amazon colleagues. 

The supported internship programme at Amazon was launched in 2021 in a bid to see more young people with SEND enter the workforce. It was expanded in 2023 through an ongoing partnership with national charity DFN Project Search. Since the launch of the programme, more than 160 young people have started a supported internship with Amazon, making the company one of the UK’s largest providers of supported internships. 

Kirsty Matthews, CEO of DFN Project Search, said: “We are incredibly proud of Colby and all those completing their supported internships this year. Each and every one of our interns graduating has shown that with the right support and opportunities, young people with a learning disability, who are autistic, or both, can thrive in the workplace. 

“Our partnership with Amazon continues to open doors that might otherwise have been closed, proving that inclusive employment isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. Every success story like Colby’s shows what is possible when we invest in the potential of our young people.” 

Amazon employees receive competitive pay and comprehensive benefits. The minimum starting pay for frontline operations employees is between £13.50 and £14.50 p/h, depending on location. For those with 36 months service, this is £13.75 and £14.75p/h, depending on location. This equates to an annual starting salary of between £28,080 and £30,160, depending on location, for full-time frontline employees across the country. 

Amazon has invested £550m in increased pay for operations employees across the UK since 2022, representing a 35% increase in the hourly rate in just two years. Additionally, from day one, all employees are offered a comprehensive benefits package including private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection, subsidized meals and an employee discount. Together, these benefits are worth more than £700 annually, and employees can take advantage of Amazon’s company pension plan. 

Amazon employees can also take part in Amazon’s Career Choice programme, which covers 100% of tuition and fees for courses in high-demand fields, regardless of whether the participant proceeds to pursue a career at Amazon. 

Amazon has been named as a ‘Top Employer UK 2025’ by the Top Employer Institute, for the second year in a row, one of the world’s most prestigious certifications in the field of human resources management. This award recognises Amazon’s commitment to the development and well-being of its employees. In addition to the UK accolade, Amazon has also been certified as one of the Top Employers in Europe for a third consecutive year. 

In 2025, Amazon ranked in second place on LinkedIn’s Top Companies list — an annual list that identifies the most sought-after large companies to work for and grow your career in the UK. Using data from LinkedIn’s 900 million members, LinkedIn’s Top Companies list is designed to help professionals identify the best companies to grow their careers. 

To apply for a supported internship programme with Amazon via DFN Project Search contact info@dfnprojectsearch.org ahead of the company’s September intake.