Neverland’s award-winning internship scheme launches for its third year

Independent creative agency, Neverland, has launched its award-winning internship scheme, the Neverland Flying Academy, for its third year.

The initiative is designed to help underrepresented talent enter the creative industries and bring more diversity into the industry.

First launched in 2023, the Neverland Flying Academy was developed to tackle the long-term issue of underrepresentation of ethnic minority and working-class people in the industry. According to the latest ALL IN Census, minority ethnic groups make up 38% of London’s working population, but only 18% of survey respondents are from the advertising industry. The census also found that just 19% of people working in advertising come from working-class backgrounds, compared with 40% of the UK population.

By removing the need for previous work experience or qualifications and paying above the London Living Wage, Neverland’s Flying Academy helps open doors into the industry for people who have been historically unable to access it.

Since launching, Neverland has worked with partners including the 10,000 Black interns and 10,000 able interns’ organisations and the London Screen Academy to raise awareness of the scheme.

Since launch, 16 interns have been through the scheme and over 50 have been placed with other creative agencies via partnerships between Neverland. The scheme was the winner of this year's Marketing Week & Advertising Association’s Talent Trailblazer award, an award created to celebrate initiatives across the advertising and marketing industry which have helped to open the sector to new talent.

The 2026 internship scheme will offer four people a 12-week paid internship at the agency.

During their time at Neverland, each intern will get the chance to work across four key disciplines: creative, strategy, production, and client service. The interns will have the opportunity to work on live projects to provide an understanding of how creative agencies work, and to develop a clear understanding of their strengths to take forward in their careers.

Applications for the 2026 programme open on December 1st, 2025, and close on the 4th of January 2026. 

Applicants will be asked to submit a short video, captured on their phones, explaining what breaking into the creating industry means for them. Successful applicants will begin their placements from February onwards.

Applicants can email here to apply.

Kwabena Gyane, 2025 Neverland Flying Academy graduate said “What I loved the most about this experience is that I was able to dip my toes in so many areas of advertising, from Client Services to Creative. I wasn't just learning about new departments I was expanding my knowledge on ones I was already aware of, this experience gave me the room to explore how I wanted to navigate my career in the industry. I came into the Academy knowing I wanted to be a copywriter and gained skills that aided my ideation in my new role in a brand agency.”

Em Bayley-Meléndez, 2025 Neverland Flying Academy graduate said “The Flying Academy offered an incredible insight into agency life. The team at Neverland was so welcoming, you genuinely felt like a valued member of the team during the internship. The experience gave me a real sense of what a career in advertising would look like and I left feeling empowered, supported and excited to explore where my skills fit within the industry.”

"The Flying Academy exists to open doors into the creative industry for underrepresented talent. We’re committed to increasing and amplifying diverse voices and perspectives, shaping a more inclusive industry for the long term. Being awarded the Marketing Week & Advertising Association’s Talent Trailblazer award is testament to the impact the programme is having.” said Josh Harris, CEO, Neverland.

He continues “We’re very grateful to the agencies we have partnered with who truly care about diversity. Together we’ve created 50 paid placements across 2025. And we’re hoping to do the same again for 2026".