Special needs college helps woman into work

Image caption, Jenny Beesley is looking forward to her first paid shift
  • Author, Tanya Gupta
  • Role, 成人论坛 News, South East

A Sussex student with special educational needs is looking forward to her first paid supermarket shift, following specialist training at her college in Kent.

The Oaks Specialist College in Tonbridge has created an on-site supermarket to enable students with learning disabilities to develop skills.

The scheme has helped Jenny Beesley to find a job at Tesco in Uckfield.

Ms Beesley studied maths, English and employability skills at the college from November 2022 and carried out work experience at the store this year.

'A real future'

The 21-year-old, who lives in nearby Buxted and is known by many of the customers, said her favourite part of the job was 鈥渕eeting people鈥.

Checkout manager Kelly Chadwick said: 鈥淪he鈥檚 great at what she does.鈥

Jackie Thurtle, project lead at The Oaks, said current 鈥渋nto employment鈥 statistics for young people with additional needs was at an all-time low with 4.8% finding jobs.

She said it was vital other employers followed suit.

She added: "This programme has given Jenny, and others that are on it, a real future with a real company.

鈥淎 proper job, a proper wage, in a landscape that isn鈥檛 built for young people that have additional needs.鈥

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