Where you’ll be valued for who you are the difference you bring
Joseph McGeown is Operations Director of Capita Intelligent Communications. Here he talks
about how he’s established a supported internship in Mansfield to offer employment
opportunities – and a brighter future – to young people.
“Mansfield has a high number of young people who are neurodiverse or disabled. When they
leave education, this group really struggles to get into work, often not even getting a job
interview. And without secure employment, these young people will face a blighted future.
I had ambitions to make Mansfield into a source of local pride, but it struck me that our
manufacturing area wasn’t reflecting the diversity of the local community. So, I decided to
establish a supported internship scheme here at Mansfield that would offer employment
opportunities – and a brighter future – to our local young people.
Getting started
I teamed up with the senior management team, my manager, my colleagues, and my HR
business partner. The project was a real test of perseverance and determination, and it was
my colleagues’ trust that encouraged me to keep going.
Over the course of a year, and with a few setbacks along the way, we underwent training
and found an organisation to partner with that shared our values. We discovered Vision
West Nottinghamshire College, who were a perfect match. Finally, we were ready to
welcome our new interns.
Watching them flourish
As the programme’s first cohort progressed, I was proud to see them growing and becoming
valued colleagues and team members. Some have already been offered permanent jobs at
Capita, and a new cohort of interns will join us later this year.
The programme received wide-ranging support from across the business, and many of my
existing colleagues have volunteered to become mentors. These mentorships showed me
that these diversity initiatives benefit all of us at Capita, as well as our local communities.
Celebrating Mansfield together
From the beginning, my colleagues understood that we had it in our power to make a life
changing difference to our new colleagues, and it was their trust and support that
encouraged me to pursue this vision. Today, I know that Mansfield is a source of pride and a
success story for many of us, in Capita and beyond.
So, all that’s left to say is this: come join us. You have everything to gain – great colleagues
to work with, genuine opportunities to learn and grow, and the chance to make a contribution
that you can be proud of.
#BeBrilliantBeYou
