The Beacon Programme, GRAHAM's pilot initiative aimed at improving employer engagement for students with special educational needs and disabilities, has now been successfully concluded in the Midlands.

The programme was designed to help students from The Westminster School in Rowley Regis prepare for the world of work.

Working collaboratively with Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, six students successfully completed work-based placements on our Birmingham Children's Hospital redevelopment project. Each student attended two on-site 'taster days' during the course of the programme, seeing first-hand what working on a live construction site entails.

A parent of one of the Beacon Programme delegates, said: "Sam absolutely loved his placement with GRAHAM. He really enjoyed getting involved, especially learning about the different stages of making/using the concrete and came home with lots of new information that he was excited to share. He loved being able to take away his hard hat as it then makes him want to talk about it and ask questions. I think it was such a good opportunity for Sam to get involved in as it wouldn’t be an environment you would think he would be able to access with his medical and physical needs, but this has proven to Sam that employment can be inclusive. For Sam it has been a huge confidence boost and I’m really grateful he was able to get involved."

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To mark the end of the Beacon Programme, The Westminster School invited GRAHAM to its Work Experience/Work Related Learning Awards 2024 on 18 July. During the event, the Beacon Programme was highlighted and the six students who successfully completed the programme were awarded certificates and recognised for their exceptional achievements.

GRAHAM is committed to creating upskilling opportunities and investing in the community's future through our projects. By fostering strong, local and collaborative partnerships, the Beacon Programme aims to bridge the gap between SEND children and employment opportunities. GRAHAM is thrilled that, following a successful pilot, the company is now planning to launch the next Beacon Programme in Manchester.

Vicky O'Connor, Career Consultant at The Westminster School, said: "The Beacon Programme has illuminated a path of opportunity for our students with special educational needs and disabilities within the construction sector, proving that inclusive work experience is not just a vision but can be a reality with inclusive employers. Partnering on the Beacon Programme has been incredibly rewarding, showcasing how collaborative efforts can transform career prospects and empower young people with diverse abilities."

Ronan Hughes, Regional Director at GRAHAM, stated: "We created the Beacon Programme to give students and parents confidence that career possibilities exist for children with special educational needs and disabilities within the construction industry. As a pilot, the Beacon Programme has achieved exactly what we hoped it would. We have created a successful model, that we can now embrace as best practice and will look to expand across wider regions and project sites."

Andy Rodgers, Head of Infrastructure at Vital Services for Birmingham Women's and Children's, commented: "We’ve been proud to be able to work with GRAHAM and students at The Westminster School on this exciting project. It’s offered a fantastic opportunity and insight during what will hopefully be the first steps towards a career. As a Trust we’re immensely passionate about being by the sides of young people; championing and supporting whenever we get chance. This link-up was a perfect example of that."