Preparation for Supported Employment

The Preparation for Supported Employment is a programme of study that is specifically designed to help 17-23 year olds with an Education, Health and Care Plan to gain the skills and experience they need to succeed in the world of work. This course combines learning about employability, building English & maths skills and exciting work experience opportunities within the college. If you are a student with a real ambition to progress into paid or voluntary employment in the future, then this could be the perfect course for you.

Preparation for Supported Employment is for you if you have a learning disability or learning difficulty but have a real willingness to experience and learn more about work but perhaps are not quite ready for working directly with an external employer. Everything about the course is specially adapted to maximise your skills and abilities so that you can engage in the workplace and grow in confidence.

Preparation for Supported Employment is the perfect stepping stone to a supported internship, as it combines work experience within the college, exploring different areas, as well as time in the classroom to gain skills in maths, English, and employability.

You will learn about the world of work including researching different careers, how to behave in the workplace, practical skills, communication skills, customer service and how to present yourself. You will gain confidence in your communication, independence and practical skills. You may have the opportunity to work in the Novel Bite Cafe and may also have the opportunity to participate in a range of work-related such as guest speakers, work place visits, social enterprise, job readiness and community group projects.

The overall aim is to increase your confidence and introduce you to different job roles and to equip you with the skills you need to progress in the workplace.

After the Pre-internship course has finished, it is hoped that you will progress on to the Supported Internship course where you will work with an external employer for up to four days per week and attend college just one day per week to maintain your maths, English and employability skills or join our exciting new project at Warrington Hospital to be a part of DFN Project Search Internship Programme.

We have links to many employers across Warrington and previous students have completed placements at Amazon, Warrington Borough Council, IKEA, Nando’s, Ryfield Retirement Village, Warrington Wolves, The Engine Rooms and Warrington Market to name but a few. We are continually expanding our employer links but do encourage you to bring along your own ideas and contacts.

You will be allocated a Progress Coach in addition we can offer the following if applicable;

• 1:1 in class support
• Lunchtime and breaktime supervision
• Meet & greet on entering and leaving the college
• Mobility support
• Exam access arrangements
• Orientation Modification of learning materials
• Specialist resources

We also have a welfare team that are on hand to offer guidance, support and help when needed. Additionally, eligible students can access a wide range of finance and funding support to help you during their time at college.

Click here for learning support: https://wvr.ac.uk/college-life/learning-support

Click here for finance support: https://wvr.ac.uk/college-life/financial-support

Warrington & Vale Royal College was the first provider in Warrington to offer Preparation for Supported Employment and Supported Internships. This means the college has many years of experience with supporting students and helping them secure successful outcomes. Previous students have progressed on to paid employment, voluntary positions, and further courses after their supported internship, equipped with the confidence, skills, and knowledge to succeed in the employment market.

We have an experienced and dedicated job coach who will be there to support you every step of the way. We have excellent student satisfaction, with 100% of learners saying they are happy with the course and would recommend it to a friend.

You will need to have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) to progress on to the Supported Internship programme once the Preparation course is completed and be willing to experience the world of work.

If there are any costs attached to trips and visits or any PPE required you will be given notice and all costs are kept to a minimum to ensure all learners can participate. Help is available if learners are in receipt of a bursary.

Café uniform consists of black trousers/leggings/jeans, plain black t-shirt and flat, comfortable black shoes or black trainers.