Combined Authority internship scheme aimed at tackling skills shortage

Fenland businesses are being invited to host interns as part of a scheme designed to change lives, help people into work and tackle a skills shortage

The internship programme, led by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, connects local talent with major employers.

This Combined Authority-led initiative, funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), brings together local government, skills providers and local businesses to deliver intensive training that values hard work over prior experience.

Internships are running with employers across Cambridgeshire in construction, finance, fitness and wellbeing, retail, and marketing, giving young people a wide range of routes into work.

Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Paul Bristow hailed the programme’s success.

He said: “This initiative is about real jobs and real futures. Last year, an intern became a full-time project manager with Constructed Pathways, and now Mick George Ltd is training five interns to become dozer drivers. We’re investing in programmes like this to build skills and create well-paid careers for our residents.”

The Combined Authority’s six-week internships cover 100% of salaries at National Minimum Wage (NMW) or National Living Wage (NLW) based on age, plus a £100 weekly employer subsidy for onboarding costs.

Interns work 12-38 hours per week, with no requirement for sustained employment post-placement. Following this success, the Combined Authority is launching 100 new 12-week internships for 18-21-year-olds through the Youth Guarantee Trailblazers (YGT) programme, offering a £600 bursary per intern to foster deeper skill development.

Local employers interested in hosting interns can find out more at www.cpcaskills.com/internships-for-employers

People seeking a fresh start can explore opportunities via cpcaskills.com/employer-hub/internships-for-participants or email internships@cambridgeshirepeterborough-ca.gov.uk