TWO young people from Tilbury have gained skills for future career success by taking part in one of the UK’s leading supported internship programmes at the Amazon fulfilment centre in Tilbury.
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.
Timi Onabule and Hayden Osagie are among more than 80 people with SEND who will graduate from a supported internship across 17 Amazon sites this year. They shared what they’ve learned whilst working at Amazon to inspire others to take part in the programme.
Before joining Amazon, Timi and Hayden completed courses in health and social care and sports coaching at college. When asked about their time on the supported internship programme, Timi and Hayden called out the processes, work experience and making new friends.
“I’ve learned a lot of new things, including the processes and skills needed in the different departments across the fulfilment centre,” Timi said. “It’s interesting to learn how items are received, sent out and managed at different stations. I’ve really enjoyed being on the shop floor and getting that hands-on experience.”
Hayden added, “I have learned a lot of new life skills, and things that I didn’t know before. I’ve loved meeting new people, making friends and hearing their stories, too.”
Timi and Hayden have each grown in confidence since joining Amazon, partly down to the support shown to them by Amazon colleagues. Hayden explained:
“Everyone was really good at breaking information into smaller chunks so we could understand the processes. They made sure things were explained in a way we understood, and would help in any way they could.”
If Hayden was to relive his first day on the supported internship programme, what would he tell himself?
“Be confident, and don’t be nervous even though you’re not sure what is going to happen,” he said. “Trust the process. It will all work out in the end.”
Timi and Hayden are both hoping to continue working at Amazon to develop their careers at the company once they graduate from the supported internship programme.
Timi and Hayden completed their supported internships at Amazon earlier this month. Their success was celebrated at a graduation ceremony at the Tilbury fulfilment centre, which was attended by their family and Amazon colleagues.
Speaking on the impact of the supported internship on Timi and Hayden, their job coach from USP College, Tina Carter, added: “I’m so proud of Timi and Hayden. I’ve seen them working and they picked up the processes straight away. The speed at which they learn is so impressive, and they should be very proud of themselves.”
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 Timi, Hayden 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 Timi and Hayden’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 up to 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 [email protected] ahead of the company’s September intake.
