Oldham College has taken part in the pilot scheme of a project supporting autistic young people into apprenticeships and other positive outcomes.
Supporting Autistic Individuals into Apprenticeships, in partnership with the Greater Manchester Learner Partner Network (GMLPN) and education provider NCFE, aims to raise awareness of the potential of autistic young people, and to equip these young people with the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to progress onto an apprenticeship.
The project also provides employers and training providers with guidance on how to best support autistic young people and help them succeed.
As a training provider on this project, Oldham College has already helped a number of autstic young people achieve positive outcomes – and there’s more to come.
‘Incredibly rewarding’
Stephanie Tupman, Tutor and Assessor in Finance & Professional Services, worked with learners in the previous academic year.
“Working on this project has been incredibly rewarding,” she says.
“Of the five individuals I worked with, one has gone onto an apprenticeship, another into full-time employment, and a third has gone to university. We secured work experience for another while they decide what career they’d like to pursue.”
As a training provider, Oldham College’s role is to prepare individuals for an apprenticeship – both personally and professionally.
“Helping these learners is a mix of working on their self-development, building transferable employability skills, and then activities based on the specific curriculum area they’d like to find an apprenticeship in.
“Regardless of the stage they’re at in their journey, whether they’re ready for an apprenticeship or not, all individuals receive coaching and guidance – in an environment and format that suits them,” Stephanie says.
“We focus on their strengths, but also explore areas for improvement – whether that’s through discussion, a written task or role play scenarios. We look at what they need in order to become employable, as well as boost their confidence.”
Employers receive consistent support from us, both from an assessor and Inclusion Officers (who make up part of our award-winning Additional Learning Support team).
Further support is available from JobCentrePlus, such as funding for adapting workstations or a support worker who can help a learner settle into the workplace.
“Hopefully this alleviates any concerns an employer might have about getting involved,” says Stephanie. “They may not know how to best support a learner, but we’re here every step of the way.”
Following the success of this past year, the pilot is extending – and Oldham College is continuing its involvement with the project. Stephanie is stepping down from her role, which passes on to Maureen Thompson, Careers Adviser in our Student Services team.
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