Introduction
Jamie is eager to continue working in a school environment.
These students are graduates of a distinctive new program designed to support teenagers with special educational needs (SEN) from St Paul's High School in County Armagh as they take their initial steps into employment.
The young participants and their families convened in Newry to celebrate this significant milestone.
Parents of some students involved in the scheme expressed to NI that they were
"beyond proud"of their children’s accomplishments.
Northern Ireland currently holds the lowest disability employment rate in the UK, referring to the proportion of individuals with disabilities who are employed.
Bridging the Gap
St Paul's High School offers several classes tailored for SEN pupils.
However, Northern Ireland lacks mandatory support structures to assist these students in transitioning from school to further education, training, or employment.
To address this, the school partnered with the Bolster Community organisation in Newry to develop a program named An Droichead - The Bridge - aimed at bridging the gap between school and the workforce.
Funded by the Department for the Economy (DfE), the scheme provides students with qualifications, work placements with local employers, mentoring, support from trained staff, and assistance with travel to and from their placements.
St Paul's teacher Marion McMahon highlighted the involvement of local employers in the program.
"An Droichead involved wrapping around these young people to give them the support that they needed,"McMahon said.
She noted that local employers had offered supported work placements in diverse fields such as retail, hospitality, plumbing, car mechanics, and graphic design.
"The response was phenomenal,"she added.
"One size doesn't fit all so we tailored every single thing about the programme to the learner."
McMahon also acknowledged the frequent existence of a "cliff edge" for young people with SEN upon leaving school.
Families, including Alma White and her son Caleb, have been advocating for changes to this situation in Northern Ireland.
"That cliff-edge is there but we wanted to do something,"McMahon said.
"We took the model of the apprenticeship and tried to mirror it.
We had three days out on work placement and then two days in the school environment where they did their formal qualifications, their English and their maths."
Alison Slater from Bolster Community explained the collaboration between the charity and the school.
Eleven young people with SEN have graduated from the scheme, all of whom are progressing into further training or employment.
Three have already commenced part-time jobs, and others have secured summer employment.
"We were seeing the same needs and wanted to do something about it,"said Slater.
"It needed that wraparound that we both could offer and neither one of us could do it on our own."
Slater expressed being impressed by the eagerness of employers and businesses to participate.
Participation in the scheme also led some young people to reconsider their career aspirations.
"When we first spoke to them last year, all they wanted to do was be gamers or be social influencers,"Slater remarked.
Favourite Work Placement Experience
Jamie Harte, aged 17, completed a placement in a primary school.
"I've got to say, I really, really enjoyed it,"he said.
"It's by far my most favourite work placement ever.
I helped out all the children, I helped them learn and I used to offer my help to the staff.
I tried my hardest to be as helpful as I can."
Jamie expressed that assisting children in their learning and development made him
"really, really proud,"and he now aspires to secure employment in a school setting.
Edel, mother of 17-year-old Taylor McGeeney, shared her pride in her son’s achievements.
"Taylor has autism and other extra needs,"Edel explained.
"Taylor took part in work placements with several local employers.
He also was able to have the opportunity to continue with school and education."
Edel admitted she had concerns about Taylor’s future upon leaving school.
"The options that were available just didn't seem to fit Taylor's needs correctly so when this opportunity came up for An Droichead it really was that bridge that Taylor needed, that extra year of a very supported environment in order to allow him to mature and take the next step,"she added.
"He's worked really hard and made new friends so it has been a wonderful experience,"Edel said.
Oisin Ager, another participant, completed a placement in graphic design at a sportswear company.
"I found it very good, I was really happy with my time there,"the 17-year-old stated.
"It has been very important for me, it helps me understand what I want to do."
Oisin’s mother, Emma, noted that as Oisin is autistic, the scheme has been instrumental in preparing him for life after school.
"Oisin would have had a lot of self-doubt which came from his autism, but this has really made him see he is worthy of things,"she said.
"It's just opened up a massive world for him, but before he wouldn't have had the confidence to do any of this."
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