Intern Handbook. Initiated by. In association with. Oak Wood Primary & Secondary Schools

Transcription

1 Intern Handbook Initiated by In association with Oak Wood Primary & Secondary Schools

2 Handbook Contents Page 1 What is EmployAbility? The history of EmployAbility What does my working day look like? What do I get out of the programme? The Code of Conduct Our Values Health and Safety Frequently Asked Questions What do previous interns look like? The National Grid EmployAbility Sites Photo Gallery

3 What is EmployAbility? EmployAbility, Let s Work Together, is an internship programme offered to young adults with additional needs who are enrolled at a college or school linked to the programme (see front cover). The programme was started by Round Oak School and National Grid, aiming to give young adults with additional needs the skills needed to gain paid employment. Running for an academic year, the programme will develop your confidence, your communication skills and your social skills. These skills will give you a greater chance of securing paid employment. The EmployAbility programme focuses on experience in the workplace, where you can develop your work and social skills. During this time, you will also complete a BTEC qualification, Skilled for Life, Skills for Work. During the programme, you will learn and develop lots of skills, to help you gain paid employment. EmployAbility Intern Handbook 1

4 History of EmployAbility Our EmployAbility - Let s Work Together programme has been created from a long standing partnership between National Grid and Round Oak Special School in Warwick. National Grid is very active in the community and encourages employees to volunteer. Round Oak is passionate about lifting the aspirations of its students and helping them find employment. Together our values and ambitions have led to our organisations working together to achieve a programme which quite literally changes lives. It began with National Grid supporting Round Oak with initiatives such as enterprise days and helping create their Forest school. Then as our relationship developed further Round Oak asked whether National Grid could provide one of their students with a two week assisted work experience placement. This proved to be a very moving experience all round and led to Round Oak inviting senior managers from National Grid to visit Project Search at Bath University Hospital Trust who provided supported internships. This provided the inspiration to put forward a proposal to National Grid s Executive to set up our EmployAbility programme. And the rest, as they say, is history. The programme was officially launched at National Grid House, Warwick in September 2013 with a first cohort of five interns and two job coaches. EmployAbility expanded to National Grid s Hinckley office in September 2014 raising the total number of Interns on the programme to 12 supported by four job coaches. We now partner with five special schools and colleges and have plans to further expand the programme to other National Grid offices. We have been inspired and we hope you will be too. 2 EmployAbility Intern Handbook

5 What does my working day look like? 9:00 10:15 You arrive at your designated project room. Here you ll work on your BTEC qualification, develop skills relevant to your placements and discuss any issues you may have with the job coaches. 10:15 10:30 Short break. 10:30 12:30 Placement 12: Lunch break Placement At 3:00pm, you ll head back to the project room to complete your daily diary and wrap up any issues you may have. EmployAbility Intern Handbook 3

6 What I get from the EmployAbility programme? During the academic year on the EmployAbility programme, you ll learn about a number of jobs around the company, you ll complete application forms and practice having interviews all skills which will build confidence and help you achieve paid employment. The programme is all about work experience and expanding your knowledge. You ll spend the majority of the day in work placements, but you will also gain a BTEC qualification. The BTEC is called Skills for Life, Skills for Work. The units you will cover include: Preparation for work Working in a team Safe learning in the workplace Searching for a job Applying for a job Preparing for an interview Functional Skills in English, Maths and IT these can be at entry level / level 1 & 2 if it s felt to be appropriate Functional Skills - English, Maths and ICT If felt to be appropriate, students will have the opportunity to complete functional skills qualifications in English, Maths and IT. You will have specific time during BTEC lessons and curriculum lessons to complete these. Assessment Your final qualification will be based on the amount of credits you achieve. This means it s really important to keep up to date with your work and ensure you remain focused during the BTEC session. Re-submitting work If you re unhappy with your grade on an assignment, you can re-submit the assignment for marking. Each assignment can only be re-submitted once, and must be done within two weeks of the work being returned to you. Work Place Visits During the programme, you may have the chance to go on site visits.. The job coaches and staff will arrange these and any necessary equipment. 4 EmployAbility Intern Handbook

7 The Code of Conduct If you are unwell and cannot come to work you must call your job coach by 08:30. Ensure that you have good timekeeping at the start of the day and after breaks. Behave in a responsible adult manner at all times whilst travelling to, and on the site of National Grid. This includes moving around the building. Follow managers instructions and any rules in the department you are working in. Carry out your duties safely and professionally, always considering the health, safety, welfare and security of yourself and others. Always make sure that you are dressed in clean smart clothes, including formal shoes. You must also wear any protective clothing and equipment required for your job. Continued over... EmployAbility Intern Handbook 5

8 Computers, laptops and telephones at National Grid must only be used for your job and BTEC qualifications. No personal use allowed. All laptops must be locked away when not in use. You must not take National Grid equipment off site. Never discuss any confidential information outside of National Grid with friends, family members or on any social networking sites. Always work in a fair way without discriminating, harassing or bullying another member of staff. You must never use any abusive or violent behaviours or language. You may use the free drinks vending machines up to a maximum of 4 times a day. 11 You must always ensure that you are fit for work and not suffering from the effects of alcohol and drugs. National Grid has a zero tolerance approach to drinking alcohol in work time (including lunchtime) and also takes drugs tests when recruiting for permanent roles. If you fail to meet this code of conduct we will follow the disciplinary procedure set out by National Grid. This could result in you losing your place on this course. 6 EmployAbility Intern Handbook

9 Our values The EmployAbility programme is a fantastic opportunity for all students who secure a place on the course. A lot of work has been put into ensuring the programme can run effectively and we expect our interns to have the following values: By putting every effort in the opportunities I m presented with, I can create a great future for myself. I represent the EmployAbility programme and the reputation of other interns. By working hard and coming in every day, I can help create opportunities for others and will help colleagues see the benefits of supported internships. By respecting my colleagues and those around me, I can expect respect in return It s important to tell the truth. I could upset or hurt other people by telling untrue stories or exaggerating what happens. EmployAbility Intern Handbook 7

10 Health and Safety Fire Safety Procedures The fire alarm is tested at a specific time each week (ask your Job Coach for more details). You do not need to evacuate the building during the test. If a continuous warbling siren sounds, you should stop work immediately and use the nearest fire exit. You should not collect any belongings, run, use lifts or panic. You should follow your department to the designated fire assembly area until it is safe to reenter the building. You will be reminded of this procedure once you get on site. First Aid Procedures To contact a First Aider in an emergency situation, you should call 3333 from any National Grid desk phone. First aiders wear a green lanyard. Smoking You are not permitted to smoke in any of the buildings. Smoking is only permitted in the designated area. Incidents or Hazard and Near Miss Reporting Accidents, incidents, hazards and near misses must be reported to your manager and on the IMS helpdesk (call from a desk phone). 8 EmployAbility Intern Handbook

11 Frequently Asked Questions 1. What do I need to get onto the EmployAbility programme? A positive, can-do attitude and ready for the working world Statement of Special Educational Needs / Education Health and Care Plan Be between the ages of and are currently enrolled at a school or college Have a mobile phone 2. How long will the programme last for? An academic year, from September July Placements will commence during term time Each day is 9:00 am 3:30 pm 3. Will there be other interns on the programme? There will be around six to eight interns on the programme, from local special educational schools and colleges. 4. Do I get a choice in which placement I do? While we try to meet the business needs, we always take your key interests, your personality and your skills into account before we put you into a placement. 5. Will I receive any support? Two job coaches will be there throughout the working day to support you. If you feel it s necessary, you may like specialist support from your school / college. 6. How can I get to work? We do expect you to be able to travel independently eventually but we are happy to help with travel training in the beginning using whichever form of public transport is the easiest for you. 7. What are the chances of getting competitive paid employment? We can t guarantee that you will get paid employment. What we ve seen is that, if you apply yourself and work hard, you have a great chance of achieving paid employment. We ll also organise a back-up plan, where we ll work with you to make sure you have a number of options for the future, such as part time work, voluntary work or college courses. 8. Do I get a reference to take with me? You will have a placement review and a testimonial from each of your three placements. EmployAbility Intern Handbook 9

12 9. Wall of fame Wall of fame Providing life changing opportunities through supported internships Warwick s Class of 2013 Warwick s Class of 2014 Hinckley s Class of 2014 MENTORING sustainable skill-gaining welcoming INSPIRING OPPORTUNITY adapting EMBRACINGcommitted TOGETHERNESS developing DETERMINEDPARTNERING experience SUPPORTED helpful challenging reliable hard-workingequality INSPIRATIONAL 10 EmployAbility Intern Handbook

13 The National Grid EmployAbility Sites Warwick (September 2013 onwards) National Grid House Warwick Technology Park Gallows Hill Warwick CV34 6DA Tel: +44(0) Hinckley (September 2014 onwards) Brick Kiln Street Hinckley Leicester LE10 ONA Tel: +44(0) Solihull (September 2015 onwards) 35 Homer Road Solihull Birmingham B91 3QJ Tel: +44(0) Wokingham (September 2015 onwards) St Catherines Lodge Bearwood Road Sindlesham Nr Wokingham Berkshire RG41 5BN Tel: EmployAbility Intern Handbook 11

14 Wall of fame Warwick Interns Warwick Interns EmployAbility Intern Handbook

15 Hinckley Interns EmployAbility Intern Handbook 13

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