The Manchester College chosen as an ‘employer spoke’ for SEND provision by Education and Training Foundation

College recognised for impact it has on improving employment opportunities for SEND students.

The Manchester College has been chosen as an ‘employer spoke’ as part of the Education and Training Foundation’s Centres for Excellence in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (CfESEND) programme. 

Launched in 2019, the CfESEND programme provides expert support for leaders, managers and practitioners who wish to put learners with SEND at the centre of their organisation as part of a Department for Education (DfE) funded national programme.

Thanks to its strong relationships with a wide range of employers and local providers, the College will provide a programme of activities to connect local employers from different industries, including the NHS and start-up businesses, with people with SEND.  These activities will not only help to showcase the skills that SEND learners have but also illustrate to employers the benefits of employing a diverse team.

Lisa O’Loughlin, Principal, said:

We’re delighted to have been chosen by the ETF to deliver this programme across the country.

“Our progression routes at the College are specifically designed to support young people into employment or further education, and we’re extremely proud of our strong track record of ensuring young people with special educational needs or disabilities achieve their aspirational career goals.

"We are looking forward to working closely with the Education and Training Foundation and building on the fantastic track record the CfESEND programme has established."

Teresa Carroll, National Head of Inclusion at ETF, said: “As the country recovers from the effects of both Brexit and the Covid pandemic, learners with SEND are a huge untapped resource to employers and businesses. 81% per cent of non-disabled people are employed whilst only 52% of people with disabilities are. Hiring people with SEND is not just the right thing to do but makes good business sense too.”