Learner experiences life in government during prestigious internship

A learner from Rhondda Cynon Taf has become one of only 80 young people from across the UK chosen to take part in a prestigious government internship.

Charlotte Bailey, 17, from Treorchy, an AS Level learner at Coleg y Cymoedd, was hand-picked from more than 200 applicants to gain a place on the Whitehall Internship Programme in London. The internship gives young people the opportunity to work across various government departments including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Ministry of Defence and the Home Office.

Following a rigorous application process, Charlotte was chosen to work at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for a fortnight. During her time there, she had the opportunity to use her foreign language skills to communicate with the Spanish Embassy. What’s more, Charlotte saw her work travel internationally, including her contribution towards a scheme to improve bilateral relations between Britain and Portugal across energy, climate and security issues, which has been sent to the Portuguese Embassy in Lisbon.

Charlotte, who has just completed her AS Levels at Coleg y Cymoedd, said of the internship: “It was great to see the value of my work and I really enjoyed the variety in this job; there was never a dull moment.

“One morning I’d be working on a project related to the Greek economic climate, and in the afternoon I’d be assisting with the organisation of the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta!”

The Civil Service Whitehall Internship Programme is a fully-funded, two-week scheme aiming to raise career aspirations and provide young people with skills and experiences for future employment. Interns have the opportunity to work alongside ministers and senior civil servants.

Following the internship, Charlotte is considering a career in the diplomatic service, and has her sights set on furthering her education at top US universities such as Harvard, Stanford and Yale, as well as considering St. Andrews in the UK.

Ian Rees, Head of Coleg y Cymoedd’s A-Level Centre, spoke of Charlotte’s achievement: “We are incredibly proud of Charlotte for gaining a place on the prestigious Whitehall Internship Programme. She is a great example of the hard-working learners here at the college and her achievement showcases the extra-curricular activities we encourage that make such a difference when it comes to applying for university places.

“We very much hope that this experience leads to further success in her future career.”

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