We’re proud to work closely with Choices College to create meaningful opportunities for students to gain real workplace experience. Over time we have developed a strong partnership driven by a joint commitment to helping people take confident steps towards employment. Choices College is a specialist college that supports young people with learning difficulties and or disabilities and or autism to develop skills for independence, work and adult life.
Choices College support young people to develop skills and confidence. Our role is to provide a welcoming, supportive workplace where students can practise those skills in a real setting, alongside experienced colleagues. Together we focus on what each person needs to succeed, and we shape placements that are safe, realistic and genuinely useful.
Placements are supported across the company in a range of teams, with colleagues helping to create the right environment for people to learn and grow. That means taking time to plan tasks carefully, giving clear guidance, checking in regularly and making sure learners feel included and valued.
This year we’re particularly pleased to have been able to offer a fixed term contract for a year to a student at the end of their placement within our Estates Team. While there’s no expectation that a placement will turn into employment it’s always great to make it happen where possible.
Estates is a busy, practical environment, and it can be a brilliant place to build routine, confidence and positive workplace behaviours. As well as learning practical skills, students also gain experience of working as part of a team, following instructions, communicating with others, and taking pride in completing a job properly.
For us, placements like this are not just a nice to have – they’re a concrete example of how we can make a difference as a local employer. We see first-hand the value that students bring: enthusiasm, fresh perspective, and a strong willingness to learn. Just as importantly, we know that a positive work placement can be a major step forward for a young person’s confidence and future choices.
We’re grateful to Choices College for the way they work with us and look forward to continuing the partnership and finding more opportunities where students can thrive, and teams can feel proud of the support they’ve offered.
Meet Ollie, Estates Assistant
“I’d had one placement with Choices College at a hotel and I had enjoyed that but when I heard about this placement I just got a good feeling and it sounded really interesting. There’s a lot of responsibility and I have been chucked right in – in a good way of course. I’ve been able to shadow a lot of different teams and from that I realised I like the electrical side the most. The placement was just great and when I got the fixed term contract I was buzzing and I was grinning like a Cheshire Cat.
“The role has built on the placement and I have got to do a wider range of things and have done training for electrical ‘PAT’ testing which I now do on site. I’m shadowing on the fire alarm testing and will hopefully be trained up to do that fully someday. I’m nervous at first when I’m learning something new but that’s what I enjoy.
“I couldn’t wish for a better team and everyone has been so supportive and helpful, giving their time to show me the ropes. I really feel I can see myself progressing in a way that I couldn’t before. I believe I can grow here and would love to stay if I can. I see people doing jobs and I think to myself, give me a couple of years and that could be me.
“I have a routine and a sense of purpose which I enjoy but most of all because it’s a hospital there are patients who rely on what we do and that’s what makes it rewarding. When I’m doing my jobs I think I’m protecting people and helping to keep them safe and I like that.”
