THE FIRST graduates from a supported internship programme at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust are celebrating success after securing permanent employment.
Their achievements follow the trust joining forces with Regency High School in Worcester and employer champion DFN Project SEARCH in a groundbreaking partnership that enables young people with learning disabilities to gain valuable work experience within a hospital setting.
Their success was marked with a graduation ceremony at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, bringing together the graduates, their families, representatives from the supporting partners, and the teams they worked with.
Michaela Goodger began her journey in the catering office, performing various administrative tasks. Eager to explore different roles, she moved on to become a housekeeping assistant under ISS, the trust’s contracted service provider.
Michaela Goodger at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.
Her exceptional performance, including achieving a five-star audit review while working independently, earned her a permanent position within the housekeeping department, within both ISS and the trust.
Josh Hines found his calling in the pathology department. Starting in specimen reception, Josh’s meticulous attention to detail and strong work ethic quickly made him an integral part of the team. His journey culminated in a successful interview for a medical laboratory assistant position, where he continues to excel.
Josh Hines at Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Pathology Department.
Ethan Kenny’s path led him from catering to a clinical role in endoscopy, where he discovered his passion for the healthcare environment. His hard work and enthusiasm resulted in securing his dream job as a porter in the department.
Ethan Kenny at Worcestershire Royal Hospital in the Endoscopy Unit.
Libby Marshall, apprenticeship and widening participation lead, said: “The remarkable resilience, determination, and personal growth displayed by each graduate shows that, with the right support, everyone has the potential to succeed.
“Their success highlights the importance of collaborative efforts in creating inclusive employment opportunities. The feedback from their work placement managers has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the significant contributions and positive impacts these graduates have made within their respective teams.
“The atmosphere at the graduation ceremony was filled with pride and joy as everyone gathered to celebrate the incredible journey and achievements of the graduates.”
The next cohort of supported interns will start at WAHT in October 2024.
