Case Study

Inclusive internships in tech: Kainos partners with Change 100 to develop future talent

9 Apr. 2026

Kainos is strengthening its commitment to inclusive employment through its partnership with Change 100, offering talented disabled students and graduates the opportunity to gain meaningful industry experience. Through paid internships, mentoring, and real‑world project work, the programme supports participants in developing skills and building pathways into careers in technology.  

For many disabled students and graduates, accessing meaningful employment opportunities can present additional challenges. Change 100 – a programme offering paid internships, mentoring, and professional development – is helping make that possible. For Kainos, Northern Ireland’s first Disability Confident Leader, the partnership is a key part of its commitment to building an inclusive workforce and fostering innovation through diversity. 

Working in partnership with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), Kainos has hosted two interns on 12‑week paid placements. Each intern contributed to live DVSA projects, gaining valuable experience while delivering meaningful outcomes. For one intern, the placement marked a turning point: 

“Before my internship, I didn’t know what to expect. However, I quickly learned that Kainos is an inclusive and supportive organisation. As a neurodiverse individual on the autism spectrum, it was important for me to be in the right network and team – to be surrounded by people who understood and supported me. My colleagues made me feel welcome from the outset.” 

That sense of belonging, combined with hands‑on project work, helped the interns develop both personally and professionally. One intern described how the experience broadened her career ambitions: 

“Coming from a biomedical engineering background, I hadn’t initially considered a career in software, but the internship opened my eyes to new possibilities and showed how transferable my skills could be. I gained valuable experience and felt genuinely supported and challenged to grow both technically and professionally.” 

The success of the programme has informed how Kainos approaches early careers talent. Inspired by the capability and drive shown by the interns, the company has introduced a new employment pathway designed to reduce barriers to entry and support greater social mobility. 

Both interns have since secured permanent roles and will join the Kainos Graduate Scheme in 2026. Reflecting on the experience, one intern shared: “I’m delighted to rejoin Kainos next year as a graduate technologist. I can’t wait to return to a place that felt like home and continue developing my Artificial Intelligence knowledge in my new role.” 

The power of partnership 

The impact of this collaboration extends beyond individual success stories. 

“Working with Kainos over the past three years through Change 100 has been a genuine partnership,” said Erida Huda, Employer Relationships Manager at Ingeus.  “The team has consistently shown a real willingness to learn and grow in disability awareness, translating that learning into action across recruitment and day-to-day practice. We’re proud to see Kainos progressing on the Disability Confident journey and championing a culture where talented people can belong, contribute, and thrive.” 

Earlier this year, Kainos became the first and only organisation in Northern Ireland – and one of fewer than 3% of 19,000 UK employers – to achieve Disability Confident Leader status, the highest level within the UK Government’s Disability Confidence Scheme. 

This reflects a long‑term commitment to inclusion, from designing accessible digital services to supporting employee-led networks and ensuring that every individual can contribute and be recognised for their impact. 

Programmes like Change 100 continue to open doors for talented disabled students and graduates, helping to build a more inclusive future workforce. 

Kainos plans to build on this progress by continuing to work alongside partners such as Ingeus  to remove barriers, expand access to opportunities, and create meaningful pathways into technology careers. Together, these efforts are helping to shape a workforce where every individual – regardless of disability or background – has the opportunity to thrive. 

Want to be more ‘Kainos’ and enhance your workforce with talented disabled students and graduates? Take your first step today 

If you’re a disabled graduate looking to shape your future, join Change 100 for support