2020-02-12 15:26:09
An initiative that coaches young adults with learning disabilities into employment is calling on local businesses to help upskill the next generation of workers.
As part of the Project SEARCH scheme, national learning disability charity Hft has joined forces with Flintshire County Council, housing association ClwydAlyn and Coleg Cambria to equip people with learning disabilities with everything they need to secure employment. The scheme offers a range of work placements aimed at developing new skills, which are combined with classroom sessions designed to build confidence and cover any training needs.
A meeting held last week (7 February) at Coleg Cambria’s business school kicked off the project’s new Business Advisory Group. First up on the agenda for the group is recruiting more organisations to support the scheme, which is currently looking for local organisations to offer roles for future graduates of the project, or work placements for students set to start the course in September. Hosted by Lord Barry Jones, the event provided local businesses with the chance to get together to share knowledge and contacts to support the initiative.
The group aims to secure a range of roles that will provide students with the necessary experience and skills to enter the working world. Six local employers are currently offering placements as part of the initiative, providing students with the opportunity to gain experience in catering, administration, event coordination, cleaning and fitness instructing.
Jordan Smith, Regional Manager at Hft, said:
“From speaking to people we support, we’re keen to hear from local organisations who might be able to offer mentoring opportunities, employment advice, work placements or even graduate roles for our students. We aim to offer students diverse roles that offer a real flavour of what’s out there and are particularly interested in employers who can provide roles focused on administration, clerical skills or groundwork.”
New placements are set to begin in September, when a new group will be welcomed into the initiative, currently in its first year in Flintshire. Students on the nine month scheme have the chance to take on three work placements over the course of the year, all structured to provide optimum support. An hour a day is spent in the classroom with Hft’s expert job coaches, who are on hand to provide support in topics ranging from CV writing to interview skills.
Jordan said:
“People with learning disabilities don’t always have access to the same employment opportunities as everyone else so we’re delighted to be part of Project SEARCH, which provides young adults with learning disabilities with on the job experience that will ultimately empower them to secure real career opportunities. We’ve already seen huge boosts in confidence from students, who are so pleased to be able to expand their experience and gain new skills.”
Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Social Services, Councillor Christine Jones, said:
“It was a real pleasure to attend Friday’s event to show the Council’s support for this wonderful project. We are fully committed to providing quality services for people with learning disabilities, and supported employment is a key priority. Everyone deserves to have the same opportunities – earning a wage, living independently and developing friendships. Project SEARCH provides skills and practical experience for young people to be ready to work. We have a supportive business community in Flintshire and those businesses present have a fantastic opportunity to be part of Project SEARCH in Flintshire, from the very start, and to benefit from having these talented people as part of their workforce.”
Lisa Ramage, Learning and Development Manager at ClwydAlyn, said:
“ClwydAlyn is thrilled to be part of Project SEARCH. Not only have our interns delivered great customer service, attention to detail, enthusiasm and reliability in all they do, having them on board has allowed us to benefit from inter-generational work with our residents and customers and raise our awareness of the challenges faced by people with learning disabilities as they seek employment. We now look forward to seeing the interns secure employment and put their skills into practice. We wish them luck for the future.”
Hft currently supports more than 2,500 people with learning disabilities across the country. This includes supporting people with learning disabilities to live independently in their own homes, providing employment services to help people develop skills and experience for work, and helping people to pursue hobbies, make new friends and get involved in their local communities.
Project SEARCH was initially developed in Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in America to provide employer-based work experience to young people with learning disabilities.
Notes to editors
For further information please email media.enquiries@hft.org.uk
About Hft
Proudly established in 1962 by a group of visionary parents, Hft is a charity supporting more than 2,500 learning disabled adults in England and Wales. Together, we are creating a future where learning disabled people and their families can live the best life possible.
Providing personalised support. Creating solutions for living independently. Coming together to campaign for positive change. Fundraising for new opportunities and a bigger impact.
In 2033, we’ll live in a world where learning disabled people have greater choice. About where they live. The support they need and want. And how to spend their time and money.
Learning disability versus difficulty
A learning disability is different from a learning difficulty but the terms are often confused and used inter-changeably. A learning difficulty does not affect general intellect, whereas a learning disability is a life-long condition characterised by a reduced intellectual ability and struggle with everyday activities.
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For more information about Hft please visit www.hft.org.uk
Location: Hft Flintshire
