Borders College
Showcase for Excellence: Employability skills for learners with additional
support needs
The college considers it vital that learners within the Supported Programmes
department develop as confident individuals capable of making a contribution to their
local communities. Work experience provides a highly effective vehicle for the
development of confidence, employability and other essential skills. The college
ensures that all full-time learners, including those with severe and complex needs,
spend part of each week in a work placement. For the vast majority of learners this
begins in week one of their programme. In addition, to maintain learner focus on the
requirements of the workplace, several college-based classes take place in realistic
work situations.
Placements are carefully matched to learner ability and interest levels. Over
100 placements have been established over time, ranging from a social enterprise
company recycling books to international placements in Sweden funded through the
Leonardo project. Key workers have provided high levels of support for employers
as well as learners, which has contributed significantly to the success of individual
placements.
For learners who require a more highly supported placement at the outset,
imaginative group projects have been established with partners in the community.
These include a community cafe at a local primary school and a cafe in a local ‘dry
bar’ for young people.
The initiative was funded originally through the European Social Fund, but has been
so successful that it is now part of core provision. Skills Development Scotland,
Ways2Work and local employment training schemes all value this initiative in
supporting transitions from college to employment. Employers are very supportive of
the placements and provide reports which form a major element of twice-yearly
learner reviews.
The very positive impact on learners has enabled them to develop their ability to deal
with new situations, communicate with the public, become more personally
organised and work with others. This has led to greatly improved confidence and
social maturity.