Intern Handbook
Initiated by
In association with
Oak Wood
Primary & Secondary Schools
Handbook Contents
Page
1 What is EmployAbility?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2 The history of EmployAbility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
3 What does my working day look like?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
4 What do I get out of the programme?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
5 The Code of Conduct. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 - 6
6 Our Values.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
7 Health and Safety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
8 Frequently Asked Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
9 What do previous interns look like?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
10 The National Grid EmployAbility Sites. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
11 Photo Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12- 13
What is EmployAbility?
EmployAbility, Let’s Work Together, is an internship programme offered to young
adults with additional needs who are enrolled at a college or school linked to the
programme (see front cover). The programme was started by Round Oak School and
National Grid, aiming to give young adults with additional needs the skills needed to
gain paid employment.
Running for an academic year, the programme will develop your confidence, your
communication skills and your social skills. These skills will give you a greater chance of
securing paid employment.
The EmployAbility programme focuses on experience in the workplace, where you can
develop your work and social skills. During this time, you will also complete a BTEC
qualification, ‘Skilled for Life, Skills for Work’.
During the programme, you will learn and develop lots of skills, to help you gain paid
employment.
EmployAbility Intern Handbook 1
History of EmployAbility
Our ‘EmployAbility - Let’s Work Together’ programme has been created from a long
standing partnership between National Grid and Round Oak Special School in Warwick.
National Grid is very active in the community and encourages employees to volunteer.
Round Oak is passionate about lifting the aspirations of its students and helping them
find employment. Together our values and ambitions have led to our organisations
working together to achieve a programme which quite literally ‘changes lives’.
It began with National Grid supporting Round Oak with initiatives such as enterprise
days and helping create their “Forest school”. Then as our relationship developed
further Round Oak asked whether National Grid could provide one of their students
with a two week assisted work experience placement. This proved to be a very moving
experience all round and led to Round Oak inviting senior managers from National
Grid to visit Project Search at Bath University Hospital Trust who provided supported
internships. This provided the inspiration to put forward a proposal to National Grid’s
Executive to set up our EmployAbility programme. And the rest, as they say, is history.
The programme was officially launched at National Grid House, Warwick in September
2013 with a first cohort of five interns and two job coaches. EmployAbility expanded to
National Grid’s Hinckley office in September 2014 raising the total number of Interns on
the programme to 12 supported by four job coaches. We now partner with five special
schools and colleges and have plans to further expand the programme to other National
Grid offices.
We have been inspired and we hope you will be too.
2 EmployAbility Intern Handbook
What does my working day look like?
You arrive at your designated project room. Here you’ll work
on your BTEC qualification, develop skills relevant to your
9:00 – 10:15
placements and discuss any issues you may have with the
job coaches.
10:15 – 10:30
Short break.
Placement
10:30 – 12:30
12:30 – 1.00
Lunch break
Placement
1.00 – 3.00
At 3:00pm, you’ll head back to the project room to complete
3.00 – 3.30
your daily diary and wrap up any issues you may have.
EmployAbility Intern Handbook 3
What I get from the EmployAbility programme?
During the academic year on the EmployAbility programme, you’ll learn about a number
of jobs around the company, you’ll complete application forms and practice having
interviews – all skills which will build confidence and help you achieve paid employment.
The programme is all about work experience and expanding your knowledge. You’ll
spend the majority of the day in work placements, but you will also gain a BTEC
qualification.
The BTEC is called ‘Skills for Life, Skills for Work’. The units you will cover include:
•
•
•
•
•
Preparation for work
Working in a team
Safe learning in the workplace
Searching for a job
Applying for a job
• Preparing for an interview
• Functional Skills in English, Maths and
IT – these can be at entry level / level 1
& 2 if it’s felt to be appropriate
Functional Skills - English, Maths and ICT
If felt to be appropriate, students will have the opportunity to complete functional skills
qualifications in English, Maths and IT. You will have specific time during BTEC lessons
and curriculum lessons to complete these.
Assessment
Your final qualification will be based on the amount of credits you achieve. This means
it’s really important to keep up to date with your work and ensure you remain focused
during the BTEC session.
Re-submitting work
If you’re unhappy with your grade on an assignment, you can re-submit the assignment
for marking. Each assignment can only be re-submitted once, and must be done within
two weeks of the work being returned to you.
Work Place Visits
During the programme, you may have the chance to go on site visits.. The job coaches
and staff will arrange these and any necessary equipment.
4 EmployAbility Intern Handbook
The Code of Conduct
1
If you are unwell and cannot come to work you must call
your job coach by 08:30.
2
nsure that you have good timekeeping at the start of
E
the day and after breaks.
3
Behave in a responsible adult manner at all times whilst
travelling to, and on the site of National Grid. This
includes moving around the building.
4
ollow managers instructions and any rules in the
F
department you are working in.
5
Carry out your duties safely and professionally, always
considering the health, safety, welfare and security of
yourself and others.
6
lways make sure that you are dressed in clean smart
A
clothes, including formal shoes. You must also wear any
protective clothing and equipment required for your job.
Continued over...
EmployAbility Intern Handbook 5
7
Computers, laptops and telephones at National Grid
must only be used for your job and BTEC qualifications.
No personal use allowed. All laptops must be locked
away when not in use. You must not take National Grid
equipment off site.
8
Never discuss any confidential information outside of
National Grid with friends, family members or on any
social networking sites.
9
lways work in a fair way without discriminating,
A
harassing or bullying another member of staff. You must
never use any abusive or violent behaviours or language.
10
You may use the free drinks vending machines up to a
maximum of 4 times a day.
11
ou must always ensure that you are fit for work and not
Y
suffering from the effects of alcohol and drugs. National
Grid has a zero tolerance approach to drinking alcohol
in work time (including lunchtime) and also takes drugs
tests when recruiting for permanent roles.
If you fail to meet this code of conduct we will follow the disciplinary
procedure set out by National Grid. This could result in you losing your
place on this course.
6 EmployAbility Intern Handbook
Our values
The EmployAbility programme is a fantastic opportunity for all students who secure a
place on the course. A lot of work has been put into ensuring the programme can run
effectively and we expect our interns to have the following values:
• By putting every effort in the opportunities I’m presented with, I can create a great
future for myself.
•I represent the EmployAbility programme and the reputation of other interns. By
working hard and coming in every day, I can help create opportunities for others and
will help colleagues see the benefits of supported internships.
• By respecting my colleagues and those around me, I can expect respect in return
•It’s important to tell the truth. I could upset or hurt other people by telling untrue
stories or exaggerating what happens.
EmployAbility Intern Handbook 7
Health and Safety
Fire Safety Procedures
The fire alarm is tested at a specific time each week (ask your Job Coach for more
details). You do not need to evacuate the building during the test.
If a continuous warbling siren sounds, you should stop work immediately and use the
nearest fire exit. You should not collect any belongings, run, use lifts or panic. You
should follow your department to the designated fire assembly area until it is safe to reenter the building.
You will be reminded of this procedure once you get on site.
First Aid Procedures
To contact a First Aider in an emergency situation, you should call 3333 from any
National Grid desk phone. First aiders wear a green lanyard.
Smoking
You are not permitted to smoke in any of the buildings. Smoking is only permitted in the
designated area.
Incidents or Hazard and Near Miss Reporting
Accidents, incidents, hazards and near misses must be reported to your manager and
on the IMS helpdesk (call 77770 from a desk phone).
8 EmployAbility Intern Handbook
Frequently Asked Questions
1.What do I need to get onto the EmployAbility programme?
• A positive, can-do attitude and ready for the working world
• Statement of Special Educational Needs / Education Health and Care Plan
• Be between the ages of 16 – 24 and are currently enrolled at a school or college
• Have a mobile phone
2.How long will the programme last for?
• An academic year, from September – July
• Placements will commence during term time
• Each day is 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
3.Will there be other interns on the programme?
There will be around six to eight interns on the programme, from local special
educational schools and colleges.
4.Do I get a choice in which placement I do?
While we try to meet the business needs, we always take your key interests, your
personality and your skills into account before we put you into a placement.
5.Will I receive any support?
Two job coaches will be there throughout the working day to support you. If you feel it’s
necessary, you may like specialist support from your school / college.
6.How can I get to work?
We do expect you to be able to travel independently eventually but we are happy to
help with travel training in the beginning using whichever form of public transport is the
easiest for you.
7.What are the chances of getting competitive paid employment?
We can’t guarantee that you will get paid employment. What we’ve seen is that, if you
apply yourself and work hard, you have a great chance of achieving paid employment.
We’ll also organise a back-up plan, where we’ll work with you to make sure you have
a number of options for the future, such as part time work, voluntary work or college
courses.
8.Do I get a reference to take with me?
You will have a placement review and a testimonial from each of your three placements.
EmployAbility Intern Handbook 9
Wall of fame
9. Wall of fame Providing life changing opportunities through supported internships
Warwick’s Class of 2013
Warwick’s Class of 2014
welcoming
sustainable skill-gaining
INSPIRING
MENTORING
Hinckley’s Class of 2014
OPPORTUNITY
EMBRACING committed
TOGETHERNESS
developing
adapting
DETERMINED
PARTNERING
SUPPORTED helpful
hard-working EQUALITY
INSPIRATIONAL
challenging reliable
10 EmployAbility Intern Handbook
experience
The National Grid EmployAbility Sites
Warwick (September 2013 onwards)
National Grid House
Warwick Technology Park
Gallows Hill
Warwick
CV34 6DA
Tel: +44(0)1926 65300
Hinckley (September 2014 onwards)
Brick Kiln Street
Hinckley
Leicester
LE10 ONA
Tel: +44(0)14552 51111
Solihull (September 2015 onwards)
35 Homer Road
Solihull
Birmingham
B91 3QJ
Tel: +44(0)121 424 8000
Wokingham (September 2015 onwards)
St Catherines Lodge
Bearwood Road
Sindlesham
Nr Wokingham
Berkshire
RG41 5BN
Tel: 0118 936 3000
EmployAbility Intern Handbook 11
Wall of fame
Warwick Interns 2013-2014
Warwick Interns 2014-2015
12 EmployAbility Intern Handbook
Hinckley Interns 2014-2015
EmployAbility Intern Handbook 13
www.employabilityletsworktogether.com