Leamington engineering student has sparky future ahead following a internship with national utility firm
A Leamington engineering student has a sparky future ahead following a successful internship with a national utility firm.
Brandon Radcliffe, aged 20, worked alongside industry experts at National Grid as part of its EmployAbility-Let’s Work Together supported internship programme in partnership with leading college group WCG.
Through the programme, the college group’s supported learning department works in partnership with National Grid to provide work placements for students aged 16-25 with learning difficulties and disabilities.
Mechanically-minded Brandon had recently finished his BTEC Level Three diploma in engineering with WCG’s Warwick Trident College and Royal Leamington Spa College, and was looking to progress within the sector when he was recommended the supported internship programme by college tutor Dave Evans.
The industry partnership between National Grid and WCG is now in its seventh successive year and has helped numerous of the college group’s graduates gain insight and experience in the sector.
Through his nine-month supported internship, Brandon, originally from Derby and now based in Ryton, worked with colleagues across the business, supporting on various projects whilst based in the National Grid Control Room at Warwick Technology Park.
His role included researching and giving presentations, contributing to the development of a business continuity plan, creating business plans, and building organisational charts to be used across his team and department.
During each supported internship, the college group provides tailored support including a job coach and once-a-week tutorial to help students to reach their goals and gain experience in the workplace.
Brandon said: “I was thrilled when I got accepted into the supported internship programme - to be placed within a major company like National Grid is a dream come true. My colleagues have been great and I learnt a lot in my role.
“The supported learning department, and in particular my job coach Devi who has been so supportive and encouraging, helping me to achieve my goals and grow my skills and confidence in a professional work environment.
“The internship has given me invaluable experience which I am using to take the next step in my electrical engineering career.”
Devi Sohanta, of National Grid, said: “It has been wonderful to support Brandon throughout his internship at National Grid and I am delighted to see all the skills he has learnt and how his confidence in the workplace has grown.
“Our partnership with WCG as part of their supported internship programme is a brilliant scheme whose supportive structure helps all the students achieve their very best and gain key employability skills to support their career plans.”
Find out more about WCG college group’s supported internships here: www.wcg.ac.uk/supportedinternships