Recent figures suggest that only around 3 in 10 autistic adults (approximately 30–34%) are currently in paid employment. With this in mind, we were incredibly proud to host an inspiring employer engagement event celebrating the achievements, ambition, and talents of our Supported Interns. The event highlighted the importance of creating inclusive opportunities in the workplace while showcasing the incredible potential of young people taking part in Supported Internships.

Designed to provide employers with meaningful insight into the learner journey, the event offered a deeper understanding of the positive impact Supported Internships can have on both learners and businesses alike. It also created valuable opportunities to strengthen existing partnerships and inspire future collaborations with employers committed to inclusive recruitment and workforce development.

Employers were welcomed by our learners and invited to visit the Pop-Up Shop, which was proudly run by interns with support from staff. This gave guests the opportunity to see learners demonstrating their communication, teamwork, customer service, and organisational skills in a real working environment. Throughout the event, employers met learners who had worked hard to develop professional CVs, build confidence, and prepare for the next stage of their career journeys.

One of the highlights of the event was the inspiring “Meet the Interns” panel. During this interactive Q&A session, learners spoke openly and confidently about their personal journeys, sharing the challenges they had overcome, the skills they had developed, and the aspirations they hold for the future. Their honesty, resilience, and determination made a lasting impression on everyone in attendance and powerfully demonstrated the value of providing meaningful opportunities and support.

The event provided employers with a valuable chance to connect directly with talented and motivated learners who are ready to take the next step into employment. It also enabled businesses to gain a clearer understanding of the Supported Internship model, explore ways to work in partnership with Weston College, and contribute to the development of learners’ confidence, independence, and employability skills.

Lynsey McKinstry, Strategic Business Partnership Manager, said: “We were absolutely thrilled with the first Inclusive Futures Showcase. Witnessing 3 SEND learners speak so confidently on our panel about their aspirations, achievements and being open to offering advice to our employers in attendance about inclusive recruitment and barriers that they have faced, was incredibly inspiring.

“The engagement and encouragement from the employers at our reverse careers fair towards all our learners made a real impact and the event really demonstrated the power of why embedding inclusion into careers is so vital. The team from the Send Supported Excellence Hub are now looking forward to continuing building stronger, sustainable and open recruitment for all our learners with our incredible partners.”

By attending, employers were not only able to identify potential future talent for their organisations, but also actively support their own inclusion and diversity goals by helping to create more accessible pathways into employment.

Their encouragement, engagement, and willingness to champion inclusive opportunities genuinely made a difference to our learners, and we were delighted to welcome such supportive employers to this exciting and uplifting event.

From returning to education later in life to building a successful self-employed career, Florence’s journey shows how determination and the right support can shape a fulfilling future. Now working at Blond Salon, she has turned her passion into a flexible and rewarding career. 

Florence first studied Level 2 Hairdressing at 14, before returning at 27 to complete her Level 3 qualification. Experiencing college as both a teenager and an adult gave her a new perspective. “I’m a firm believer that you get out what you put in,” she says. “This time, I made sure I took every opportunity and really focused on my work.” 

A key part of her learning came from working with real clients in salon sessions. “Being able to practise on actual clients was the best way for me to learn and build confidence,” she explains. Florence also credits her tutor, Nicola Smith, for creating a supportive environment and encouraging her to push herself further. “She never made us feel silly if we didn’t know something, and she’s the reason I entered competitions when I didn’t believe in myself.” 

Those competitions became an unexpected highlight. “I never thought I’d do something like that, but it really helped me grow in confidence, and winning was a huge boost.” 

With a clear goal to become self-employed, Florence approached her studies with purpose. After completing her course, she left her retail job to work in a salon while building her own client base. Today, she enjoys a career that fits around her life. “I genuinely enjoy going to work. I get to spend my days with amazing clients and still have that balance with my family.” 

Florence believes the industry is full of opportunities and encourages others to stay open-minded. “Say yes to opportunities, even if they don’t seem relevant at the time. The people you meet and the experience you gain will always help you in the future.” 

Her advice to aspiring stylists is to think about their goals and find the right environment to grow. “Find a salon that matches your values and will help you learn. If it’s not helping you grow, don’t be afraid to move on.” 

Reflecting on her journey, she adds, “I’d tell my younger self to take more risks and not worry about other people. College is such a short time, so make the most of it.” 

For anyone considering the course, Florence sees it as the perfect starting point. “College gives you the foundation - but in this industry, you should never stop learning.” 

If you're interested in finding out more about our Hair and Barbering courses, click here.

Last week, Level 2 Brickwork learner, Izzy Tanner, competed in the Guild of Bricklayers competition at New College Swindon, demonstrating an excellent level of skill and professionalism.

The Guild of Bricklayers aims to promote and uphold the highest standards of craftsmanship in brickwork. The Guild annually organises Junior and Senior regional heats through the UK’s Construction college network, with the support of industry partnerships. These competitions bring together bricklaying professionals from all over the UK to further develop their skills and confidence.

During the competition, Izzy encountered some challenges, identifying an issue with her build in which she made the difficult decision to take her wall down completely and start again from scratch as opposed to trying to patch and adjust to rescue the build. This display of problem-solving showed the high-quality that Izzy maintains throughout her work, knowing that a quick fix wouldn’t meet the benchmark standard that her work reflects.

By the end of the competition, Izzy had rebuilt two-thirds of her wall to a much higher standard, taking the time to be precise and careful, with a strong focus on quality. She displayed the importance of finishing properly as opposed to finishing first, and that the integrity of her work was more valuable than completing a job that didn’t meet her standard of work.

Although Izzy didn’t place, she displayed an excellent amount of resilience, confidence, and professional judgement, working well under pressure and producing a high-quality build even in the face of adversities. Her attention to detail and determination stood out in the competition, showing the importance of not just who wins, but how students approach the task with accuracy and thought.

Competitions like this are a fantastic opportunity for students to meet likeminded individuals and build on constructive feedback from industry professionals, making their work even stronger and preparing them for a career in bricklaying. We encourage as many of our students as possible to take part in enriching competitions like this to develop their confidence, expose them to industry standards, and provide them with networking opportunities.

Izzy reflected on her work following the competition, saying, “I’m so pleased I started again. I feel a lot better about the work I’ve done, and proud that in college I may have had to walk away, but today I didn’t."

Richard Hanney, Head of Construction at Weston College, said, “Izzy has overcome several barriers on her journey, but this was another moment worth celebrating, not just for the outcome, but for the character she displayed. It is important that our students develop not only the skills and precision required to succeed in the industry, but also build the qualities and attributes that will set them apart from others and reflect their enthusiasm for their work, and it was great to see Izzy embody that.”

A huge well done to Izzy and to the Construction team who have worked with her and supported her journey!

This competition forms part of the Construction Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys. 

Progress to the next level in Construction! At University Centre Weston (UCW) our students give us impressive feedback, with our latest National Student Survey results putting us above average in all nine areas! Find out more about our exceptional teaching, wellbeing services and learning resources by visiting our website. Click here!

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.