Kim Eversham has been the driving force behind developing supported internship opportunities in her workplace at Dow Silicones UK, an international manufacturing company.

Her mission has been to open up opportunities and create a workforce that is diverse and vibrant. Building the “Transitions to Work” programme to nurture talent and provide stimulating employment opportunities at their site in Barry.

The partnership with Cardiff and Vale College has been developing since 2019, shaping employment opportunities for learners with additional learning needs. To date over 50 interns have completed their learning
with around 60% gaining employment. Kim’s role has been pivotal to the success of the programme; mentoring learners in her leadership role, providing transferable skills development opportunities such as team building, communication and event management. She has mobilised over 40 employee mentors and department leaders to support interns in the workplace across a range of disciplines.

The impact of her role has been to raise aspirations for people with additional learning needs by influencing the Human Resources department in ‘carving out’ new job roles and apprenticeship pathways for learners on
the internship programme. She says, “The Supported Internship Programme has played a key role in effecting a cultural change at Dow Silicones UK, Ltd. It’s become the fabric of our site, thanks to which mindsets have been
changed, biases eliminated, stigmas quashed with the narrative being focused on ability rather than disability.”

She has secured ‘Disability Confident’ status for Dow Silicones and is seen as the influential Learner Ambassador for the programme, sector and wider business community, championing inclusion, changing perceptions and challenging stereotypes. A senior manager at Dow Silicones says of Kim, “Her natural passion inspires others to get involved and has made a significant change to the (Dow Silicones) site with many considering the supported internship programme as the best thing we have ever done.”

As a result of the programme Dow Silicones UK Ltd’s annual apprenticeship scheme was extended to Supported Internship Programme graduates, with adaptations made to the standard initial assessments to accommodate applicants with additional learning needs.

Kim says, “Mentoring is about creating a psychologically safe environment and supporting learners to bring
their whole selves to work, unveil their true potential, become the best versions of themselves and make their
aspirations a reality.”