01432 383500 | www.hoopletraining.co.uk

Supported internship

Confidence building through Hoople’s supported internship programmeHoople’s supported internship programme is a new offering for learners aged 16 – 24 who have a statement of special educational needs, Learning Difficulty Assessment or Education, Health and Care plan. It’s a structured study programme that is primarily work-based and aims to increase learners’ confidence and employability skills.

The programme was introduced in September 2016 and lasts for one or two years (term time only). Course content is flexed to suit the particular needs and interests of learners. Typically three days each week are spent on work placement, one day on functional skills development (mathematics, English and IT) and one on life skills.

Learners choose the type of work they’re interested in and Hoople helps to find local organisations to fit. This year’s learners have enjoyed placements in a warehouse, retail outlet and local school. As their confidence has grown, so have their skills and abilities!

A positive experience for the learner

Hoople’s supported internship programme leader, Charlie Watkins, says: “The work experience element of the programme has to be a positive experience for the learner.” To this end, Charlie conducts monthly reviews with both the learner and employer to make sure things are progressing well. “We want it to be a safe way for learners to find out what they want to do in the future,” says Charlie.

Charlie is keen to ensure that the two days each week spent by the learners at Hoople’s training and education centre in Hereford are a positive experience. She ensures that work is covered, but in a creative, relaxed and fun way. It’s not unusual for her to work with the learners outdoors when the weather is fine or to take

I’m finding my work placement to be really good and I

enjoy the lessons at college because they are fun and I like learning.

— James B, supported internship trainee

01432 383500 | www.hoopletraining.co.uk

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the students out on visits to other organisations. For example, a visit to the Mayor’s parlour was great for exploring Hereford’s rich history and was used to bring alive a literacy project.

Certificated training courses

Learners have the opportunity to take certificated training courses relevant to their interests.

For example, this year’s cohort has taken manual handling, first aid and health and safety courses as well as food safety, nutrition and fire safety. Learning methods are innovative. When studying for their manual handling certificate, Charlie and the learners visited a local supermarket to observe customers’ poor posture and manual handling techniques when loading their shopping trolleys. Understanding weights and measures and fractions was developed by learners

buying ingredients then baking a cake and cutting it into equal portions. Of course, they also enjoyed eating it afterwards!

Throughout the programme, the focus is on the learners and their needs. The emphasis is on growing confidence and building skills and knowledge which can be included on their CV and help them find paid employment in the future.

A springboard to work

As the first cohort to undertake Hoople’s supported internship programme nears the end of its first year, course participants James T and James B reflected on what they’d learnt in the past year by developing and delivering a presentation to visitors to the Hoople Training Centre.

They have loved their work placements, which have increased their confidence levels and enabled them to think about the future and plan the next step along their respective career paths. They can use the skills and qualifications they have achieved as a springboard to work or onto an additional training programme, such as an apprenticeship.

For more information about our supported internship programme, contact our training team on 01432 383500 or email training@hoopleltd.co.uk.

I enjoy working in the warehouse, helping people and cleaning

the van. At college, I like to get out and about to learn things.

— James T, supported internship trainee

‘Enjoying the lessons’: A typical day in the classroom.

‘A positive experience’: Course leader Charlie Watkins.