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NI construction firm GRAHAM has teamed up with The Westminster School.
Based in Rowley Regis, the school has partnered with GRAHAM to support their students, who have special educational needs, with placements to help prepare them for the world of work.
Students have been invited to apply for a position on the 10-week Beacon programme, which will result in up to 20 work-based placements being offered on our Birmingham Children's Hospital project.
To express interest in participating in the Beacon programme, the school will support students to produce creative applications using video and audio technology, steering them away from the standard written CV application process.
Successful applicants will then be offered a placement during our 10-week Beacon programme, providing them with an opportunity to gain experience working on site at our Birmingham Children's Hospital project, which is a significant healthcare redevelopment scheme in the Midlands. Students will be paired accordingly to compliment and support each other’s needs and abilities, while also being accompanied by a teacher/assistant from the school.
To kick things off, GRAHAM's Building and Facilities Management divisions have collaborated to support the school’s new Employability Hub by donating £1,000. The Hub's aim is to bridge the gap between SEND pupils and employment opportunities in Sandwell. Over the academic year, we will be reviewing opportunities to further support the Hub and its students’ progression into the world of work.
Ronan Hughes, Regional Director at GRAHAM Building, commented: "GRAHAM is delighted to be working with The Westminster School to provide its students with opportunities to learn about the construction industry. By facilitating work-based placements on site at our Birmingham Children's Hospital redevelopment project, we hope to inspire the students to consider a career in construction, ultimately helping to improve employability outcomes for children with special educational needs and disabilities in the Midlands. We are hopeful the pilot Beacon programme is successful, with the model being replicated and rolled-out to other regions and GRAHAM divisions."
