Project Choice is a work based programme which equips young people with learning disabilities, difficulties or autism with the social and work based skills needed to enable them to become work ready and help them to understand the pathway to employment. We aim to develop long term employability skills and support the development of a work based ethos for one of society’s most marginalised groups in the labour market.
We began in 2005 at City Hospitals Sunderland offering work experience to the young people of Sunderland with learning and or physical disabilities or difficulties.
The project is divided into four stages.
Project Choice : Work experience;
Our purpose is to give all students equality of access to work experience.
We offer a half day a week placement over a six week period (half school term), having the potential to offer several placements across an academic year. We normally accommodate 16 to 21 year olds in this stage. The students work one to one with a mentor to help develop an understanding of work expectations and behaviours. This stage offers young people a variety of work based opportunities in a safe environment allowing the development and awareness of personal skills and potential job pathways never before considered. This programme is supported by a work experience lead.
Stage 1 : learning for work:
Stage is designed to bring in learners who need additional support to develop confidence and understanding about the world of work. The programme is 4 days classroom based and 1. day work experience. The aim would be to progress onto stage 2.
Stage 2: Internship;
The internship programme lasts one academic year and is unpaid.
Interns have a named mentor (any member of staff can be a mentor; no qualifications are needed as training is provided) but ultimately aim to work autonomously The interns are offered a positive supportive introduction to working independently, given their own mutually agreed task list. Interns spend up to 4 days a week in work placement and one day in college undertaking a City & Guilds work skills qualification.
Interns may undertake up to three rotational placements in the year. They are supported by a full time project coordinator
Work placement areas are continuing to develop across the City of Sunderland in both public and private sector organisations. The placements are tailored to meet individual needs and supported by Project Choice staff.
Stage 3: Exit strategy;
Sunderland council has an employment group which support the exit strategy of each young person. This is based on their personal interests and employment strengths.
Success
The programme is running across the North East and North Yorkshire with several young people gaining employment. They demonstrate that with support and guidance our students can achieve the skills they need to participate and become active members of society earning a wage and contributing to the work force.