Szymon’s Supported Internship Story
How can working in a car park help with working in a busy airport kitchen? This is how.
The smile says it all.
Szymon’s first 10-week work placement on our Supported Internship was with the car park department at Manchester’s Media City. English is not his first language and Szymon lacked confidence in his communication skills. In short he was concerned customers would not understand him.
With the support of a job coach, Szymon very quickly built up his confidence through practical experience assisting car park users. He would give directions, stamp tickets and learned to act on his own initiative in keeping the carparks tidy and clean at all times.
Szymon - all the signs are good!
Szymon became more self-assured and also benefited greatly from the group’s daily classroom sessions on Employability Skills, with The Manchester College. These sessions are a great way to enhance social skills too.
An opportunity then came up for a paid Kitchen Porter role with Squire Hotels at the Etrop Grange at Manchester Airport. Szymon really wanted to try for it. As a first step he was offered a working interview.
Squire Hotels are passionate about working with the local communities providing opportunities and placements to help young people get into work. One of our company's core focuses is providing training and development to every employee to help them build a successful career.
Giulia D'Ambrosio - Squire Hotels.
Opportunity knocked.
Working in the kitchen environment can be very demanding and fast-paced but Szymon thrived on it. He was ready. He was well-equipped with enhanced communication skills, improved self-confidence, experience of how to behave at work and a proven ability to be a valuable member of a team.
The result? Szymon impressed. He was offered a paid job and is now a Kitchen Porter at the Etrop Grange. Our warmest congratulations to Szymon.
Work skills can transfer from one placement to another – and then on to paid work.
Our Manchester Internships are delivered in a partnership with Manchester City Council, The Manchester College and Manchester Airport Group.