Jobs boost for interns in pioneering project
A reverse jobs fair at a West Midlands NHS Trust saw young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) showcase their skills to employers.
The four remarkable interns talked about their roles within catering, portering, customer service and maintenance at Sandwell and West Birmingham (SWB) NHS Trust.
Supported by The Learning Works, the employment and training arm for the organisation, intern Eleanor Gavin shared her inspiring journey working in catering at Rowley Regis Hospital, one of the hospitals run by the Trust.
“I've gained a wide range of skills including teamwork and completed level two courses in food hygiene and customer service.
"The internship has allowed me to meet new people and has given me more confidence," she said at the event held at The Learning Works headquarters in Smethwick.
SWB NHS Trust runs the newly opened Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in Smethwick, Rowley Regis Hospital, Sandwell and City Health Campuses and GP and community services.
Six new interns who are looking to secure placements at one of the sites also joined the jobs fair to introduce themselves and demonstrate their career ambitions to potential employers.
Emma Dalton, Widening Participation Projects Manager at the Trust, added: “We hosted the jobs fair to give our current interns the opportunity to highlight the experience, skills, and learning they've gained over the past year, while also helping our new interns find suitable placement opportunities.
"Current statistics show that only 4.8 per cent of people with a known learning disability in England are employed. So, by enabling participants to gain real-life work experience and develop independent skills, this project opens doors that have traditionally been closed to many young people with special educational needs.”
The internships are part of Project Search, a 12-month supported internship programme designed to help young people with learning disabilities and autism transition into employment. The interns rotate through various hospital departments and receive intensive, personalised support from dedicated mentors and job coaches.
It is in partnership with Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council and Westminster School.
The support that interns receive goes far beyond traditional job training. Mentors assist them with crucial life skills such as independent travel, building communication confidence, and developing strategies for managing complex task lists.
The project’s goal is to equip young people with the essential skills and confidence needed to thrive in the workforce.
