‘Checking in’ to a new career
Tracey Lacey, Carla Springthorpe, Mary Magurie and Shona Turner at Grantham's Premier Inn.
New partnership helps young people make the leap from training to work
If you’re visiting Grantham’s Premier Inn look out for Carla the latest graduate of the council’s InspireU success story.
The 22-year-old has stepped into the world of paid work at the town’s Premier Inn, after completing a supported internship with the help of job coach Mary Maguire and deputy careers lead, Tracey Lacey.
The link between InspireU and Premier Inn has resulted in lots of young people finding paid employment. InspireU is seeking other employers to get involved in the supported internship scheme.
“The young people work with a job coach while they’re training and they really benefit from a gradual transition into paid work,” explained Tracey. “And it works both ways, because the business gets a knowledgeable and valued member of staff. Everyone benefits.”
The supported internship scheme’s latest graduate, Carla, said: “I really enjoyed doing the course, learning new things, and meeting lots of people.”
“I am now loving the job at the Premier Inn. It was really good to work with a job coach to start with so that I learned about the job gradually and with support. The hotel is a really great place to work.”
The proof, though, is in the pudding, and Carla’s progress in the world of work has been endorsed by multi-site hotel manager and Carla’s boss, Shona Turner. “Carla is getting on really well,” said Shona. “She was quite shy to start with, but working with us and the job coach helped to lift her confidence and her transition into paid work has been really straight forward.
“Now, just like anyone else, she gets on with her tasks totally unsupervised and she has a great relationship with her colleagues.”
Any employer that would like to know more about the supported internship scheme, or young person with Special Educational Needs and /or Disabilities that would like to know more about InspireU, you can find out more at: www.inspireu.org.uk.
The supported internship scheme’s latest graduate, Carla.
A hotel experience with a difference
Landing that very first job is a huge moment for any young person. But for those who aren’t in mainstream education, taking that first step into the world of work can feel more like a giant jump.
Whitbread - owners of Premier Inn - have invested at InspireU College to launch a brand new training centre on the Lincoln campus. And this isn’t just a classroom with a few props. It’s a real hotel environment with en-suite bedrooms and a proper reception.
Cllr Natalie Oliver speaking at the launch.
Cllr Natalie Oliver, executive member for children’s services, sums up the possibilities that are opening up: “By giving students the chance to train in a real hotel environment, we’re opening doors to opportunity and independence.”
“It will make a life-changing difference and for Lincoln’s young people, those doors are now well and truly open.”
