Joe Smith, West Sussex Brighton & Hove Careers Hub, recently awarded PVL CEO Nick Broom the ‘Careers Champion Inspirational Partnership Award ‘.
Joe visited PVL in Burgess Hill with Supported Intern Patrick and Nola Bennet Deputy Head & Careers Lead at Woodlands Meed. The award is recognition of the significant work that PVL and Woodlands Meed have done to establish their Supported Internship Program in 2024.
Supported Internships help young people aged 16 to 24 with an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP), to gain paid employment through support to develop skills valued by employers, show value in the workplace and develop confidence in their ability to succeed at work. Supported interns are in full-time education and their internships last for six months to one year. The internships are facilitated by an expert job coach and enable young people to gain the skills they need for work by learning in the workplace.
PVL and Woodlands Meed have been working together for several years to help give young people with SEND an opportunity for work experience leading to employment opportunities. The new Supported Internship program means that more local young people with SEND can be given the opportunities to access meaningful work experience and gain skills that could help with future employment opportunities, whilst being supported by an expert job coach in the workplace and continuing their education.
David Hills, Woodlands Meed’s expert job coach, has been working with the team at PVL to ensure both the employer and student are supported in the whole process of taking on a Student Intern from set up through to on-site support throughout the time the student is with the employer. David said of the process ‘This program enables the Interns to be fully immersed in the world of work, learning the soft skills of being an employee/ team member as well as the process of the job itself. Being available and able to offer support to both the Intern and the employer makes the whole Supported Internship program set up to succeed, and I am already seeing the huge benefits this has for both our students and the team at PVL.’
PVL have taken on a Woodlands Meed student on the Supported Internship Program starting in September 2024, and they hope to take more in the future. PVL Managing Director Craig Beresford is a key supporter of the program, he said ‘PVL are proud to support Woodland Meeds School in their remarkable Supported Internship programme. Our partnership with the school underscores our commitment to empowering young people by providing meaningful work experience and personal development opportunities.
Being involved in this program has been incredibly rewarding for all the team at PVL. It aligns with our values of inclusivity and social responsibility, as we help interns build confidence, develop essential workplace skills, and achieve greater independence. The dedication and passion of the students from Woodland Meeds continually inspire us, and we are proud to play a part in shaping their future career paths.
We look forward to continuing this important partnership and contributing to the growth and success of the students, as well as making a positive impact on our local community.’
In an inclusive place of work, every employee feels valued and able to contribute to the organisation. Inclusion goes beyond supporting diverse groups and involves recognising and celebrating the differences that make each employee unique. This means that inclusion is relevant for all employees, regardless of their background or characteristics. Joe Smith from West Sussex, Brighton & Hove Careers Hub said " West Sussex, Brighton & Hove Careers Hub are delighted to be working in partnership with Woodlands Meed, supporting their strong careers programme, which includes high expectations for students to have the best possible outcomes after they leave.
The inspiring partnership between Woodlands Meed and PVL was recently recognised by the hub as part of their annual recognition awards. The partnership has seen the launch of a Supported Internship programme, designed to support students with special educational needs and disabilities secure paid work.
PVL are one of the leading organisations across the region who are really embracing what it means to be an inclusive employer and has a deep understanding of all the benefits of having a diverse workforce. It's really exciting to see what this partnership will bring in the future and how it will inspire other organisations to work with a more diverse talent pool." Lastly, we would like to congratulate the Woodlands Meed and PVL teams on winning the Inspiring Partnership Award by the West Sussex, Brighton and Hove Careers Hub."
