Last term, Ben and Thomas, 2 hard-working Treloar College students, joined a pharmaceutical company Aspire for work experience sessions, attending once a week over the summer term.
Attending work placements provides our college students with the opportunity to gain insights into the world of work and to develop the skills which employers look for when recruiting. It also helps students to make more realistic and enlightened job choices by allowing them to try out a vocational preference where there is also a degree of support and guidance available. These opportunities are invaluable for our students in terms of work skills development, self-confidence and independence.
They both attended an introductory visit prior to starting their main sessions. This gave them the opportunity to meet some of the Aspire team, discuss possible tasks, familiarise themselves with the layout of the building as well as help reduce their anxiety levels. It is also helpful for staff at Aspire to gain a greater understanding of our students' needs, goals and abilities prior to starting their work sessions.
Ben and Thomas have a keen interest in IT, with a very good understanding of a range of software programmes. Their main task with Aspire was transferring data across from one system to another, maintaining accuracy throughout and saving the data correctly. Thomas said: “Working with the Aspire team helped me develop my work skills and to figure out what type of work I would like to do in the future.”
When unsure of something, both students felt able to self-advocate, requesting support or further explanation when needed. They enjoyed meeting the Aspire team and learning about the company. Thank you all for providing Ben and Thomas with such an inclusive, friendly and brilliant learning opportunity! It’s been an invaluable experience for them and has helped develop their work skills and shape their future aspirations around careers and courses of study.
Offer work experience
We wish to thank our employers for working with us.
We are always looking for more local businesses to provide Supported Internships for our next cohort of students.
If you would like to find out more information about the Supported Internships programme and how to get involved, please contact Maria Sherwood, Progress and Transition Manager, on maria.sherwood@treloar.org.uk