Willmott Dixon is a disability confident employer. However, according to a Labour Force survey from 2021, the disability employment gap is 29%.
We run many programmes to support people facing barriers to work into sustainable careers. Our Midlands business have ran their first year-long special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) internship for Mikey.
We met Mikey through our relationship with Woodlands SEND School, Coleshill. Mikey had taken part in other activities we ran with the school before, so was familiar with the business and some of the people before his placement started.
What initially started as a one-week placement in our administration department, turned into a year-long paid internship for Mikey after we saw the step-change in his confidence. We asked Woodlands SEND School if we could extend his placement to an internship to continue to support his development.
Over the year, Mikey's confidence has grown significantly, so much so, that he has managed to secure a place at catering college in September. Our social value manager, Marie supported Mikey with his application, interview techniques and mentoring, which gave him the confidence to attend his interview alone - something that he would have never done prior to his internship with us. Mikey's work experience placement also supported him to pass his employability ASDAN qualification.
"Marie we cannot thank you and Willmott Dixon enough for all the time that you have invested in Mikey, as you know he has recently secured a place at Catering College commencing September 22, something that Mikey and his Mum never thought would be achievable." Claire Dougan Careers & Work experience co-ordinator Woodlands School Coleshill said. "The change in Mikey over the past 10 months has been astounding, his time management, organisational skills and confidence has come on leaps and bounds everything that he needed to work on! This is a perfect example of why these work experience placements and internships are invaluable to our students."
