Pioneering course shortlisted for award
A Weston College course that supports young people with SEND into paid employment has been shortlisted for a prestigious award.
The innovative ‘Into Work’ programme is in the running for the SEND Apprenticeship Champion category at the FE Week and AELP AAC Apprenticeship Awards.
Staff from the College’s Foundation Learning team will attend a glittering ceremony at the ICC in Birmingham on March 28th to find out if they have won. Those shortlisted have also been invited to a special reception at the Houses of Parliament on March 4th.
‘Into Work’ is a one-year supported internship for 16 to 24-year-olds with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Staff work with learners, their families and employers to provide employability skills, and instil confidence and self-belief.
The course, which launched in 2014, has already proved a major success with 45% of learners achieving paid employment, and 55% progressing to higher-level training. Nationally, just 6% of learners with learning disabilities are in paid employment.
Last year, ‘Into Work’ won the ‘Inclusion in Employment’ category at the National Special Educational Needs Awards.
Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College Group, said: “’Into Work’ is still a relatively new programme so to receive such recognition already is a fantastic achievement and deserved tribute to course leaders.
“This shortlisting demonstrates how the College has embraced the ideals and ethos of supported employment and put them into practice to achieve sustainable outcomes and help learners transition successfully into adulthood.”
Weston College is leading the way with its SEND provision, last year the College had the prestigious honour of winning a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education, one of only two further education colleges in the country to be awarded this prestigious honour this year.