Mainstream Internship programme

Employment Service providers will work with employers to find or create a role that suits your skills and employment goals. They'll place you into the role as paid work experience and you'll train in the job.

We'll pay your wages while you're on placement. You'll get paid the same amount as others doing similar work.

You can join our internship programme if you have a disability and you either:

• are in your final 2 years of study, or
• completed your study in the 12 months before you apply to join the programme.

You also need to:

• be 16 or older
• be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
• normally live in New Zealand
• be registered with the Disability Support Services at your education provider
• be in full-time study aligned to the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF).

When you don't qualify

You may not qualify if you've already been in our Mainstream Employment programme.

The internship programme runs for up to 12 weeks.

• We'll pay your full wages to your employer while you're on placement.
• We'll help with ongoing support for you and your supervisors.
• You'll get an opportunity to work in a field related to what you're studying.

Step 1 - Contact your Employment Service provider

You need to talk to your Employment Service provider. If you don't have one, email us and we'll send you a list of providers you can use.

They'll talk with you about the type of role that would suit you. Then they'll find an employer to place you with.

Step 2 - Meet with the employer

The employer will interview you for the position through their normal hiring process.

They'll also complete an employee development plan with you. This means they'll talk to you about things like:

• how they'll support you to develop in the role
• the number of hours you'll work
• any training you may need.

Step 3 - Fill out an application form

• Your provider will give you an application form to fill out.
• They'll ask your employer to fill out their section as well.
• You, the employer and the provider will sign the application form.
• The provider will send the form to us along with any documents we need, eg:
  • your CV, or
  • quotes for training or equipment.

We'll process the application form and check that you and the employer meet the criteria.

Once we've processed the form, we'll let your provider know the outcome and they'll contact you.

If it's approved, they'll tell you all the details for your placement, eg, when it will start.