Cheshire West Recycling is proud to share positive early results from its Supported Internship Programme, launched earlier this year in partnership with New Ground – an initiative delivered by Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Skills and Employment Service.
Created for 16–24-year-olds with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND), the programme helps young people move closer to meaningful employment by offering a structured pathway into a real working environment.
Developed collaboratively with New Ground, the programme enables young people to build essential skills and confidence through practical, hands-on experience. With guidance from a dedicated New Ground Employment Support Officer, participants spend four days each week working alongside CWR’s teams. This is complemented by a day of learning at a Skills and Employment Hub, strengthening their employability skills, including Maths, English and IT.
Although the programme is still in the early stages of the 2025–2026 academic year, this autumn the Skills and Employment Service took part in an Ofsted pilot inspection for the new framework.
CWR, as one of the host employers for the New Ground interns, participated in the inspection, providing and demonstrating strong evidence of the support and opportunities they offer to local young people. The review assessed performance across a range of educational, training and safeguarding measures to evaluate how effectively the programme is developing.
The review indicated highly positive early outcomes. In particular, CWR’s provision of placement opportunities and its collaborative approach has been graded as Strong Standard across several key areas, including the quality of support offered to interns, the effectiveness of employer engagement, and the alignment of opportunities with programme objectives.
Steve Irwin, Senior Materials & Engineering Manager at CWR and the Supported Internship Programme Lead, said: "This review marks an important early milestone for us and we're really pleased with the positive feedback and progress we've made so far. It's the beginning of a journey; one where we're learning alongside participants and partners of the programmes to keep improving the experience and outcomes for everyone involved.
"The dedication of our teams and the real enthusiasm and commitment of the young people taking part are making a real difference, and we're excited to see what comes next."
Cllr Paul Donovan, Lead Member for Communities, Democracy and Workforce said: “These early results are a fantastic reflection of what can be achieved when local employers, the council, and partners work together to create real opportunities for young people. The Supported Internship Programme is not just about skills, it’s about confidence, independence, and opening doors to meaningful employment. We’re proud of the progress so far and are committed to building on this success to ensure every young person has the chance to thrive.”
Karina Zlocinska, New Ground Co-ordinator, added: "Placements are a vital part of the Supported Internship programme, and CWR's contribution is absolutely central to the development of the young people we support. As a team, we are incredibly grateful for the opportunities CWR provides. These not only build confidence and skills but often have a life-changing impact."
As the programme continues to grow, CWR remains committed to creating an inclusive workplace where young people can develop, achieve and thrive. By strengthening its collaboration with Cheshire West and Chester Council and other local partners, CWR aims to build on this strong foundation, expanding opportunities, raising aspirations and helping young people across the borough take confident steps into their future careers.
