Renfrewshire Council

DFN Project SEARCH Renfrewshire has supported more than 100 interns since it began in 2015. The programme is a partnership between Renfrewshire Council and Glasgow Clyde College.

The programme boasts of impressive results. Renfrewshire has a 62.5 per cent rate for young people with learning disabilities and autism going into positive destinations after graduating from the programme. The national average for entering employment is 5 per cent.

More than 700 qualifications and certificates have been achieved over the last 10 years. Interns have worked more than 55,000 hours of work experience.

88 graduates have successfully completed the programme so far. 55 have entered paid employment afterwards and others have gone into full-time education.

Councillor Andy Steel, convener of Renfrewshire Council's Economy and Regeneration Policy Board, said: "Seeing the interns go from being a bit withdrawn into relaxed, confident and outgoing young people has easily been the best part of my job, bar none."

"This valuable programme has achieved so much for young people who need extra support in Renfrewshire. They have been able to gain the skills and experiences they need to support them into paid employment and further education or training - all they needed was a chance."

"The success of this programme is a testament to how it is delivered by the officers on the programme. I'm so proud of what Renfrewshire Council has achieved with Glasgow Clyde College over the last 10 years."

Jon Vincent, Principal and Chief Executive at Glasgow Clyde College, commented: "Project Search is a life changing experience for so many young people with learning disabilities. As a college, we are proud of the partnership we have with Renfrewshire Council which offers students the chance to gain practical work experience leading to employment.

"This project seeks to remove the barriers faced by those with learning disabilities in accessing meaningful employment and each year we see 12 lives transformed by this trailblazing partnership. We're delighted to be celebrating the achievements of the students who have taken part in Project Search over the past 10 years, and we look forward to another 10 years of working together to change lives."

Up to 12 young people aged 17 to 29 who have a learning disability, autism, or both, can apply for the programme each year. Young people spend time between classroom-based learning and work placements within Renfrewshire Council and local businesses. The programme includes support for entering the world of work.

Applications for 2025-26 intake are open online (Glasgow Clyde College website).

Media release published Wednesday 2 April 2025.