Support MCA’s Local Internship Programme
Midlothian Climate Action (MCA) are looking for funding to offer an internship to an individual seeking to gain work experience in the third sector in the heart of Midlothian.
They have a long history of providing placements and internships to allow young people to get their first job in the third sector, using a variety of funding sources to cover the costs. In the current climate they are aware that it is becoming increasingly difficult for young people to get entry level jobs, with even low paid jobs requiring previous experience. Their most recent intern round attracted 41 applicants, and the successful candidate said she had applied for 35 posts before being successful with MCA . The team feels it is essential to support more young people to get real life work experience to get the on the career ladder.
Born from the long-standing partnership between Midlothian Voluntary Action and Volunteer Midlothian, Midlothian Community Action (MCA) officially unified as a single entity on April 1, 2025. Previously operating under the Midlothian Third Sector Interface umbrella, this strategic merger allows them to streamline their efforts to enable them to amplify their impact. By combining our expertise and resources into one cohesive team, we are now better equipped to champion a thriving Third Sector and build a stronger, fairer, and more equitable Midlothian for everyone.
MCA serves as a vital bridge between residents and resources, fostering a more connected, resilient, and equitable Midlothian. Their main aims are to empower local voices through active civic engagement, tackle social isolation by creating inclusive community spaces, and promote sustainable growth that respects both heritage and environment.
THE INTERNSHIP:
“We are able to offer high quality internships in any of the following areas: comms, environment, policy and research, or IT. We would be happy to tailor the internship to reflect the interests of the organisation funding it. We work with all our interns to establish what their goals are so that we can try and ensure that they gain work experience that is relevant to their ambitions. As well as their specialist focus, they get a broad experience of life in an office, and of the wider third sector. All interns receive access to training and job coaching support, to ensure they have the best chance of gaining employment when they leave us. We pay all our interns at the Real Living Wage.”
MCA have been very successful in supporting their placements and internships onto positive destinations. Their previous interns and placements have gone on to destinations including:
· Using their skills to secure employment with MCA when a suitable vacancy arose;
· Being supported to secure employment in other third sector organisations;
· Using the transferable skills gained on placement to get employment in event management;
· Moving on to high quality training opportunities, such as the BBC training scheme.
You can find out more about how their placements have worked and the impact they have made on their website - What’s It Like to Work at MCA? – Student Placement Experience – Midlothian Community Action (MCA)