A 22-year-old man with autism from Hanwell who secured a place on a Civil Service internship programme has completed a four-week placement with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology in Whitehall.
Nicholas Lines gained his internship with support from the charity Ambitious about Autism which seeks to increase employment among autistic people. According to the charity, which runs the Employ Autism programme, only 29% of autistic people are in any form of work.
The Civil Service has been working with Ambitious about Autism since 2015 and hundreds of people have been placed through the scheme.
Mr Lines, who graduated from Ealing’s University of West London with a first-class degree in Information Technology Management for Business, was one of 92 interns to take part in this year’s programme.
He said of the placement: “It was a particularly exciting time to work in the Civil Service due to the transition from one government to another. I even got to join colleagues in welcoming the new Secretary of State.”
Mr Lines added: “I’m very grateful for the opportunity the Civil Service internship programme has given me. During my time at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology I learned a lot, gaining new skills, experience, and confidence.”
Nicole Curtin, Employ Autism programme manager, said: “We’re delighted that Nicholas found his internship with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology so rewarding and congratulate him on all he has achieved throughout his placement.
“The young people we work with continue to face many barriers when seeking employment, which is why this internship programme is so important. We look forward to continuing our vital work with the Civil Service and other organisations across the country, to enable more young people to realise their ambitions.”
