Our project is aimed at encouraging South Thames College learners who happen to have a disability or learning difficulty to give serious consideration to applying for an Apprenticeship Scheme with the opportunity for work experience prior to any application. At the same the project focuses on local employers with the purpose of negating any myths and perceptions they may have regarding the employment of supported learners as well as how employers can make reasonable adjustments to accomodate them. Two seminars had been organised for local employers and invited learners who are supported through our Learner Support Services.

The 2 morning seminars were held at South Thames College venues (the first at our Wandsworth High Street Campus, the second at Merton Campus) in the week commencing 24th February. Over the 2 events we welcomed over 20 representatives of employers and other guests, and were delighted that over 30 students also attended, as well as support workers who were assisting our learners who were partially sighted/blind or deaf/hard of hearing. I attach the seminar agenda for employers.

For the first part of the morning the learners had their own session with colleagues from our Business Unit. The workshop provided relevant information about the Apprenticeship/Traineeship scheme, work on developing an individual CV, examining the application form, and for some plucky learners an opportunity to stand up and talk about themselves and their career aspirations.

Later in the morning the learners joined the employers and other guests and at one of the seminars these same plucky learners stood up and introduced themselves to everyone (well received as you can imagine). Across the 2 seminars and during the shared learner/employer session we also had a contribution from one of the BSL Communication Support Workers who were supporting our deaf learners,and a South Thames Colleague who is Assistive Technology Advisor who spoke about the equipment that can assist learners/potential employees. This colleague who is visually impaired was also able to briefly talk about her experience in the work place. Employers were provided with a questionnaire and invited to complete a card indicating willingness to arrange work experience.

The morning concluded with lunch for all.

I am in the process of checking the returned learner questionnaires for work experience requests that will form the next stage of the project.

You may be interested to look at 2 documents published by RNID:

The Don't Panic Pack (Recruiting and Developing Deaf and hard of hearing employees) and

Opportunity Blocked (The employment experiences of deaf and hard of hearing people).

Ian Aldridge- Project Co-ordinator

[email protected]