A transformative internship programme, led by the Cambridgeshire
and Peterborough Combined Authority, is changing lives and
helping residents into work while tackling the region's skills
shortage.
The programme connects local talent with major employers like
Mick George Ltd, a key player in the region's construction
sector. By tapping into Combined Authority funding, with the help
of Constructed Pathways, Mick George has taken on five interns
for six-week placements, equipping them with the training and the
skills to start a career in a high-demand industry.
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.
Beyond construction, internships are also running with employers
across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough in finance, fitness and
wellbeing, retail, and marketing, giving young people a
wide range of routes into work.
, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and
Peterborough, hailed the programme's success:
“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 collaboration between local government, skills
providers, and industry is crucial to solving the skills
shortage,” said Dan Edwards from Constructed Pathways. “We're the
integrators, bringing everyone together to create opportunities
that industry needs.”
Michael Moriarty, HR Director at Mick George Ltd,
explained their enthusiasm for the programme:
“As a major employer, we jumped at the chance to use Combined
Authority funding to bring in fresh talent. Our interns are
already operating machinery and contributing from day one. This
programme lets us train motivated individuals, regardless of
their background, and it's working – we've got people in
full-time roles because of it.”
Intern, Zack McCoo shared this enthusiasm for the
programme's impact:
“This internship with Mick George has been life-changing. I've
gained practical skills like operating a dumper with confidence,
learned how to work effectively on a construction site, and built
teamwork abilities alongside supportive colleagues. The programme
has opened doors to a long-term career in construction. I'm
excited about the opportunities ahead.”
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/
Residents seeking a fresh start can explore opportunities via
https://cpcaskills.com/employer-hub/internships-for-participants/
or email internships@cambridgeshirepeterborough-ca.gov.uk
