Celebrations and Achievements for New College Swindon Inclusive Learning Students
Recently New College Swindon held graduations to celebrate those studying on both the DNF Project Search and Supported Internship programmes.
The DFN Project Search and Supported Internship courses are catered to young people ages between 18-25 with an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) focusing on helping young people gain life and employability skills through both taught sessions and unpaid work experience with the support of a Job Coach. The main aim of these courses is to get young people who might struggle without support get paid work.
Here is a little more insight into the Supported Internship Programme from Inclusive Futures Coordinator, Kerry Powell:
“The Supported Internship Programme acts as a bridge between education and employment, helping young people develop the skills, confidence and experience needed to thrive in the workplace. Every year, we are inspired by the determination, resilience, and achievements of our interns as they grow in independence and take positive steps towards their future aspirations. We are incredibly proud of everything they achieve and feel privileged to support them on their individual journeys.
Our graduation celebrations are a wonderful opportunity to recognise these achievements alongside families, employers, and support networks. We are especially grateful to our employer partners, whose commitment and encouragement provide invaluable opportunities for young people to gain meaningful workplace experience, develop their potential and demonstrate the valuable contribution they can make to their communities and workplace.”
Whilst completing their learning with New College Swindon these young people have worked with a variety of different employers including Great Western Hospital, Swindon Borough Council, Amazon, Aramark, Delta Tennis Centre, Village Hotel and more.
13 out of 16 that graduated from these programmes have gained paid work which is an incredible achievement for the learners as well as everyone that supported them along the way.
After such an amazing journey on their courses it was great for these students to have the opportunity to celebrate their achievements with their loved ones, employers and New College Swindon staff. At both graduations it was clear that the learners have gained the skills that will make them an asset to any work place from their first jobs and beyond.
“It’s pretty difficult for me to put into words the impact that the program has had on Zaks life, its honestly been transformative, I cannot thank the team at New College Swindon enough for the exceptional efforts they have put into Zaks development over the last year it really is quite humbling, you’ve identified the skills I know he already had bought them out of him and had him apply them at the workplace, this has been recognised by the people he has worked with which has led to full time employment, this is not the only benefit he’s come out of himself and really blossomed. With their help they have set him on a pathway which I wasn’t sure was possible.” – Tim, parent of Supported Internship learner Zak.
Thank you to all of the employers for supporting these learners, without you this wouldn’t be possible: Great Western Hospital, Swindon Borough Council, Amazon, The Village Hotel, Aramark, NEAF, Delta Tennis (GLL), SP Computers, Buzz Gym and Moredon Sporting Hub (North Swindon Parish Council.
A thank you also to Infinite Group and GWBS for sponsoring the Supported Internship.
