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Work placements can change lives
9th September 2021 by Eluned Watson
Derwen is urging more Shropshire businesses to support us to transform our students' future employment prospects by offering just an hour or two for a weekly work placement.
Student work placements are a vital part of most of our students' learning. As students progress from working in our on-site commercial areas, they go on to weekly work placements in the community when they are ready. So, College has been reaching out to Shropshire businesses. We are asking them for just a couple of hours a week to help change the future of a young person with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
It is important that work placements are relevant to students' learning pathways and future ambitions. Therefore, the college is keen to work with charity shops, designers and printers, theatres, garden nurseries, cafes, restaurants and housekeeping businesses in Shropshire, preferably in or near Oswestry or Telford.
The work experience team are also looking for some specific placements local to Shrewsbury, for students at the college's Walford-based site. They are particularly keen to hear from Shrewsbury-based florists, gyms, leisure centres and horticulture enterprises.
Just a few hours a week in a work environment provides vital experience for students. This helps them towards employment and a more independent future. Students are supported at all times during their placements by a Derwen College job coach and can be a real asset to a business.
Can you help support life-changing opportunities?
Work experience co-ordinator Abi Baker said:
'Only 6% of young people with learning difficulties go into work, which is an incredibly disappointing statistic. Derwen College's mission is to create opportunities for young people who may have special educational needs, but have proved they are able and willing to work. This enables them to enjoy job satisfaction and also to live more independent lives.
"Our external work placement programme offers life changing opportunities for our students to undertake meaningful, real work experience which is relevant to their learning and future career hopes.
"Businesses that we work with also find it a rewarding thing to do. Offering work placements to a person with a learning difficulty promotes diversity and boosts a company's reputation for being community-minded and inclusive."
To find out more about how you could help change a young person's future prospects, please contact Abi Baker on abi.baker@derwen.ac.uk
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Derwen College – leading the way in career development
3rd February 2021 by Eluned Watson
Derwen College is a finalist in the UK Career Development Awards. The College was shortlisted in the Careers Programme in a Special School/College category. The College is delighted to be recognised for its innovative approach to careers development.
Being shortlisted in the prestigious careers awards, recognises Derwen College's efforts in supporting students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) towards future employment.
Derwen College is proud of its robust careers programme which includes innovative new Support Work apps. These apps are geared towards providing students with the information and skills they need to become work ready and more independent after college.
Working with app developers Starfish Labs UK, and part-funded by Marches LEP, the College has developed a CV Builder app. We believe is the first of its kind to be designed with a focus on people with SEND. The app allows users to populate a CV with minimal support, using words, Makaton symbols, videos or photographs. The app then allows students to independently send the CV to a potential employer. They can also attach video and photographic evidence of their employment skills.
Derwen College Careers teacher Siobhan Williams recently showcased the app to employers who were members of Shropshire Chamber of Commerce. Employers agreed that seeing students showcasing their skills was more useful than a written list of qualifications.
'Very excited' about CV Builder app
Heather Noble of Oswestry-based business and training coaching company Salt Solutions said:
"I'm very excited about the CV Builder app. Not only because it will allow people with special educational needs to compete in the workplace, but because it will enable employers to receive concise, relevant and appropriate information about a potential employee. Especially from an employee who might not ordinarily be able to convey their strengths.
"As a young person, finding things to put on a CV can be particularly challenging when experience is limited. This tool will help both employee and employer to share information simply. From my point of view, I particularly like the video element which allows employers to see the individual as a whole person not just as a few facts and figures. I don't see any reason why, in time, this app couldn't be rolled out to mainstream job seekers. It could help support an job seeker in putting their best foot forward."
Amy updates her CV using the Derwen-developed CV Builder app.
Winners of the awards will be announced in a virtual award ceremony on 10th March.
Looking ahead to Skills Live @Derwen 2021
Derwen College Principal Meryl Green said: "We are thrilled to have been shortlisted in the UK Career Development Awards. This is recognition for the continued work we do to support our students into employment.
"The Support Work apps are just part of our ongoing commitment to being innovative and forward-thinking in providing opportunities for students to achieve their goals."
The College is pleased to have launched Skills Live @Derwen 2021. It runs from 1st-5th March to coincide with National Careers Week. Students aged 16-25 year olds with SEND from across the UK can compete to showcase work skills they have learnt at College. Schools can also take part in fun have-a-go sessions. So, if you are a college, school or business who would like to take part or fine out more, go to www.derwenskillslive.co.uk
Filed Under: Latest News Tagged With: Careers, CV builder app, day students, Derwen College, employment, independence, makaton, National Careers Week, opportunities, residential, Salt Solutions, SEN, SEND, Shropshire, Skills Live @ Derwen, Starfish Labs, Support Work apps, UK Career Development Awards, work experience