College hails student work

Seven graduate from hospital project

A magnificent seven students who completed the Project Search employability course at Monklands Hospital were honoured at a celebration event.

CJ Clark, Adam Dickson, Michelle Downie, James Frame, Jaclyn Keir, Thomas McGuinness and Terri Wilson took part in this year’s scheme at the Airdrie hospital.

They completed work placement blocks in departments including labs, portering, catering, grounds, domestics and mail room and were among 23 Lanarkshire participants in this year’s employability scheme for young people with learning disabilities.

Monklands graduate Jaclyn Keir was among the speakers at the achievement event, along with Declan Lavery of the Wishaw General group and Laura Cassidy representing Hairmyres.

Each participant received a certificate and gift at the ceremony, held at New College Lanarkshire.

Project Search, which is a partnership between NHS Lanarkshire, North and South Lanarkshire Councils, Serco, ISS and New College Lanarkshire, has found more than 80 jobs for its county graduates.

The initiative first started in Cincinnati two decades ago, with the Lanarkshire scheme becoming the first of its kind in Scotland when it was established in 2010.

It was expanded to Monklands Hospital five years ago.

Project Search graduate Ross Johnstone, 22, is now a medical laboratory assistant at the Airdrie hospital and recently won the employee recognition category at the national learning disability awards.

Participants are supported by a job coach and a lecturer during an academic year which sees them complete three work placement blocks.

Ceremony host David McShane said: “We want the students to be proud of what they’ve done because it’s a massive achievement.”

NHS Lanarkshire recruitment manager Lorraine Scott said: “It’s very rewarding for the students and very humbling for us to see how they’ve come on throughout the year. To see them getting jobs at the end is absolutely brilliant.

“Everyone in the partnership is working together to achieve the same outcome: to get as many students into employment as possible.”

Donella Du f f f rom Nor th Lanarkshire Council said: “We’re passionate about the success of Project Search.

“It is an excellent example of how partners are significantly improving the employment opportunities of young people with disabilities and transforming their lives through the power of work.”

We want the students to be proud of what they’ve done

Seven up The students show off their certificates