Asda has doubled the size of its Supported Internship Programme, creating 119 placements for young people with learning disabilities or difficulties across 22 stores nationwide.

The initiative, run in partnership with charity DFN Project SEARCH, coincides with National Inclusion Week and is designed to tackle the stark employment gap facing young people with additional needs.

Asda’s expansion follows strong results from last year’s scheme, which saw 46% of interns move into full-time jobs after placements across 11 stores.

The grocery retailer has now provided more than 70 young people with hands-on training and employment opportunities over the past two years.

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The supermarket chain says the move comes after data revealing fewer than 5% of people with a learning disability in England and Scotland secure paid work after education, compared with 80% of their peers.

“We’re incredibly proud to be expanding our Supported Internship Programme, as we double down on our commitment to helping young people with learning disabilities into future employment,” said Asda interim chief people officer Helen Selby.

“This initiative has had a clear and lasting impact on our stores and local communities over the past two years. With 46% of last year’s interns securing jobs after their placement, we’re delighted to be promoting more accessible pathways.”

DFN Project SEARCH aims to support 10,000 young adults with learning disabilities or autism into work by 2030.

Its CEO, Kirsty Matthews, praised Asda for “opening doors that might otherwise have been closed” and proving that inclusive employment was “good for business too”.