Students attended a Virtual Reverse Jobs Fair yesterday (28 January) to develop their confidence and aspirations in securing their future careers path. The event gave the students access to some of the area’s biggest employers including Rolls-Royce, Motorpoint, Severn Trent, Bombardier, GF Tomlinson and Morrisons Flowerworld.
This innovative approach to support Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) students included attendees from Horizons 6th Form and the Royal School for the Deaf Derby. The session is part of a supported internship programme which is a partnership between DFN Project Search, St Martins School, the Derbyshire Education Business Partnership and the Royal Derby Hospital. On completion of the internship, participants secure paid work.
Alongside D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, the fair was supported by First Steps Education and East Midlands Chamber of Commerce.
Berni Dickinson, D2N2 Employment Engagement Enterprise Coordinator said: “Working with local employers to provide opportunities for young people to prepare for employment is so important. By giving these students access to real employers, they’re able to get valuable experience, making them better candidates when it comes to entering the world of work.”
Kieran, a student from Horizons said: “Today’s experience was fantastic. The employers were understanding and helped me feel relaxed. I was fluent in my interview because I knew what I was telling them. The planning I did made me have a great confidence and I went at full force and took it to them! It has been a great morning. Thank you to all the employers who interviewed us today.”
Debbie Gerring, Head Teacher of Horizons 6th Form said: “Our students thrive on the Project Search internship programme. They have so much to offer employers and are an untapped pool of talent. Their determined work ethic, excellent skill set, honesty and resilience shone through the interviews today. The developing partnership we have with these key employers across our City is vital to the future of our young people with additional needs and I hope this event will be the start of us paving the way together into the world of work for our amazing young people.”
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