News: Young adults with special educational needs and disabilities benefit from real industry experience

The programme, DFN Project SEARCH, aims to improve employability skills, independence and employment opportunities for young people with Autism Spectrum Disorders and learning disabilities.

There are currently 10 interns working across five NUH departments, including logistics, food production, food services, domestic services and security.

Nottingham College Programme Lecturer, Debbie Brown, has been supporting the students during their internships, alongside two Job Coaches, Brendan and Ling. She said: ​“Each intern has been learning valuable and meaningful work-related skills from their placements. Everybody involved in the project has helped each individual to settle in and build solid working relationships and you can see how much the students are benefitting from the experience.

“The students have given us some wonderful feedback, particularly about how they’ve felt part of a team and how much they’ve grown in confidence through the placement.” 

The team at Nottingham College and Project SEARCH will continue to maintain and build on what has been a bright start to a new and exciting employment opportunity for young adults with special educational needs and disabilities. 

If you’d like to find out more about the project, please contact Debbie (Project Search Lecturer) on: 07929 790 212 or at: debbie.​brown@​nottinghamcollege.​ac.​uk

Our Stapleford Campus is home to our supported learning courses, where we offer a range of flexible learning programmes from Pre-entry Level through to Level 1. Small class sizes, tutors with specialist training and a wealth of specialist resources help all our students achieve.

Recently, our Introduction to Hospitality and Catering students took charge of their campus canteen, gaining hands-on industry experience and skills. Find out more.