Outline of orgnaisation and area of work

Supported Internships is one of the programmes run by National Star College. This programme is based primarily with an employer. This programme enables individuals with a disability to achieve sustainable paid employment by equipping them with the skills they need for employment.

Through learning in the workplace supported internships are unpaid and the course lasts for one academic year. Wherever possible, they support the individual to move into paid employment at the end of the programme. Alongside their time with the employer, learners complete a personalised study programme which includes the chance to study for relevant substantial qualifications relating to the area they are working in. They also improve their confidence around interview skills, application form writing and support with CV work to help improve their chances to find employment.

Supported internships are structured and are primarily based with an employer. They are intended to help individuals with learning difficulties and/or disabilities to achieve sustainable, paid employment by allowing them to gain the skills and experiences they need. Interns are given ongoing support from a job coach, dependent on the individual needs of the learners

Job tasks must work hand in hand for the intern and the employer, meeting the vocational profile and business needs of the employer. Employers need to show flexibility to overcome any barriers to enable students to perform in the workplace.

Scope of the study

The number of students enrolled on this programme varies each year on average there are four groups satellited outside the College from London, Bristol and Gloucestershire. Within each area there are approx. 4 – 10 students who work with a job coach and Tutor. The vocational areas depend on the interest of the learner. The areas we work in include; hospitality, customer service. Business administration, agriculture, fitness and leisure. This grows dependent on the interest of the student.

What takes place – examples

Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL): London

This placement is based across GLL leisure centres in Northeast London, including the Aquatic Centre, Hackney Marshes Centre, York Hall, Mile End and Middlegate House. Interns’ complete tasks that include setting up and taking down equipment, working on reception or in the memberships team, cleaning and working in the crèche. (picture 1)

EDF Energy: Barnwood, Gloucestershire

This placement is based at EDF Energy’s offices in Gloucestershire. It is business administration and customer services focused. Interns work in different teams and complete tasks such as taking minutes of meetings, helping with graduate assessments, filing, photocopying, inputting data, reviewing documentation and working in the restaurant. (picture 2)

Wessington Court Farm: Hereford

Wessington Court Farm is our internship base in Hereford and offers the opportunity to develop transferable work skills in a variety of settings. Opportunities include working with livestock, tractor driving, pest control, retail, customer service and developing small enterprises. The programme prepares you for work and you will be supported to find and transfer into employment by the end of the programme. (picture 3)

Steps into Work Supported Internships include relevant qualifications:

• English and math up to Level 2
• NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) in Business Administration – Level 2
• BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council) Introductory Certificate – Level 1
• NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) in Customer Services – Level 2
• Certificate in Customer Service – Entry level 3 and Level 1

Outcomes

• Build strong communication links with employers to help job carve and support the individual student in the right placement.
• Always skills match and work with the employer work towards achieving tasks in the workplace
• To provide learners the tools to ‘learn by doing’ and learn from hands on experience.
• To help learners develop careers awareness and benefit from experiences in the workplace to help them make future decision aims and goals.
• To help raise standards of learners’ achievements and to help develop employability skills.
• To increase learners’ motivation and commitment to learning.
• To improve learner understanding of the economy and the structure of business organisations.
• To help support learners to apply subject knowledge and enhance the learning experience.
• Mutual benefits between colleges, businesses and the wider community.
• To help learners work towards becoming responsible citizens and encouraging them to make positive contributions within the community.
• Professional development for teachers and school/college development.
• Recruitment – The opportunity to get to know potential recruits and support skills in future preparation.
• Involvement from the employer helps build a good image for the company and help build other links with other stakeholders.

Quotes and endorsements

‘I was made to feel welcome and important from the beginning’

‘It has taught me new things I didn’t know before.’

‘Before the Steps into Work programme I found it hard to get employment…the NVQ will open doors for me in the future!’

‘The changes that it has made to me have been great as it has really built my confidence.’

‘I think above all, working here has made me realise that I can be useful and that I have gifts.’

Key Messages

• Build strong communication links with employers
• Always skills match and work with the employer work
• Provide learners with the tools to ‘learn by doing’