Two of the students have carried out their work experience as part of their course with Leading Lives as a result of the links the College have provided and other students have secured either placements or permanent work with other employers.
West Suffolk College Level 3 Health and Social Care students were awarded for their efforts in engaging with local employers last week.
Disability Support Company Leading Lives, who have worked with the College in providing an insight into employment in the industry for the students awarded each of them with a certificate and also extended a framed recognition award certificate to the group.
Leading Lives is an award winning social enterprise providing social care support for people with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs in the home and in the community across Suffolk and neighbouring counties.
Jenny Mills, Operations Manager and who attended the awards ceremony on behalf of the company said: “As an organisation we are keen to educate students about our world as an employer and it has been fantastic to see the students so engaged. We are huge advocates for linking industry with education and West Suffolk College have been a great platform in enabling us to do this.”
Two of the students have carried out their work experience as part of their course with Leading Lives as a result of the links the College have provided and other students have secured either placements or permanent work with other employers.
Joanna Woods, age 17 from Bury has secured a role as a Support Worker with Mencap who visited the College back in March to discuss the world of employment with the students. Joanna said: “It has been amazing for me to get this opportunity after Mencap came in back in March. I am getting some great experience and it has been great to learn from both College and industry at the same time.”
Ellisha Soanes, Lecturer in Health and Social Care and Careers Coach at the College said: “It is invaluable to have employers coming in to speak with our students and to provide advice and opportunities that without our partnership the students may not have been exposed to. These fantastic opportunities will really help shape the future of our students and as always we are hugely grateful to all of the employers that have taken the time to come in and engage with us and our students.”