Siemens Mobility and its partners have completed the first year of their DFN Project SEARCH internship programme at Goole Rail Village.

The programme supports young people with disabilities and special educational needs to enter the workplace.

Siemens Mobility is investing up to £240 million to improve Goole Rail Village, which will bring 1000 new jobs to Yorkshire.

Five people have benefited from the programme, having gained guidance that has helped them gain confidence and life skills needed for a variety of roles at Goole Rail Village.

The first cohort of interns was celebrated with a graduation event and saw Linden Campbell, Leon Delsaint, Byron Myers, Milena Wantoch-Rekowska and Lucy Yard all complete the programme.

They spent the year working across numerous tasks, including working in the train assembly factory, the warehouses, and the canteen.

“It’s been inspiring to watch these young people grow in confidence and capability throughout the year. They have been given genuine roles in the workplace becoming integral team members, contributing meaningfully to our operations while developing the skills they need for their future careers.

“The programme has the single objective of preparing the interns for the world of work and it has certainly achieved that. They are now all ready to make the step into permanent employment and become valued and productive team members, wherever their future career takes them.

“The programme has been transformational not just for the interns, but for our entire workforce. Our teams have embraced the opportunity to mentor and support these young people, and it’s strengthened our workplace culture significantly.”

Craig Beech, Service Operations Manager at the Goole Rail Village