Scheme sees pupils with learning disabilities offered jobs at law firm
A YORKSHIRE law firm is offering young pupils with learning difficulties a fresh start on the career ladder as part of a new college internship scheme.
Ison Harrison has struck up a partnership with Shipley College offering student internships designed to build confidence and improve life skills.
The scheme has proved such a resounding success that the firm is now encouraging other local businesses to follow its lead.
The law firm agreed to take two students as part of the college’s supported internship programme, a scheme that offers students on-the-job mentoring with support from the college in real commercial environments.
Ison Harrison’s facilities manager, Paul Allinson, agreed to mentor two students from Shipley College despite having no prior experience.
One student, Jack Driver, 21, from Keighley, impressed so much, he is now working at the firm’s Leeds city centre head office as an admin assistant. And Sumaira Yasmin, 19, from Bradford, was also recently offered a full-time role as an admin assistant at the Leeds office.
Mr Allinson said: “Jack and Sumaira had never had jobs before, so this is a major achievement for both of them.
“Jack is on the autistic spectrum and when I first met him he was extremely quiet and lacked confidence. Since joining us his confidence has grown massively and he is very independent.
“Despite having learning difficulties, Sumaira settled into the role from the outset. Her computing skills are really good and one of her main responsibilities is data inputting for the firm.”
Mattila Darvasi, Shipley College’s supported internship programme co-ordinator, added: “The success of Jack and Sumaira’s internships prove that workplace mentoring is an effective and rewarding experience for both mentors and mentees.
“We are always looking for supportive local businesses to provide real job opportunities and would urge them to follow Ison Harrison’s lead.”