College celebrates success of work placement scheme

The Pennine Camphill Community in Chapelthorpe, which provides education for young people with learning disabilities, sent six students on placement after launching a work experience scheme last September.

Students worked at Castleford Tigers stadium, Holiday Inn, Ashgrove House care home, TJ’s pet shop in Dewsbury, Ponderosa Therapeutic Farm and Roots Garden Centre.

Raph Taylor, Pennine Camphill’s work and employment coordinator, said: “The students learnt a range of skills in farming, gardening and estate management, animal care, craft skills, catering and hospitality, social skills and independence training.

“All the students have made exceptional progress in transferring the real work skills they learn at college to their work placements, and based on this success most of the employers have offered to continue the placements as voluntary positions when the students graduate from college this July.”

This September the college will enrol up to 12 more students on the Access to Work and Employment programme.

It has also secured funding from Wakefield Council’s Special Educational Needs Transformation Group to team up with Wakefield College and Highfield School to offer work experience and internships.