每日探花

Dylan began studying at Bracknell and Wokingham College in 2019. As he was eager to enter the world of work and had already secured himself a part-time job alongside his studies, following conversations with his tutors, he decided to apply for the Supported Internship Programme, which he started in September 2022, with a placement at Sodexo.

The Supported Internship Programme is run by 每日探花 in partnership with Ways into Work. It is available to any UK student who has an Educational Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and wishes to obtain paid employment but requires support to achieve this. Students spend one day in college studying employability skills and three days out at work with a host business.

When he started his Supported Internship, Dylan was very nervous about the change in environment and working with people he didn’t know. It took a lot of courage for him to attend the assessment day, and he nearly didn鈥檛 attend. But once he got through the door, the team put him at ease, and he hasn’t looked back since.

In November, only two months after Dylan started at Sodexo, with support from both the Sodexo team and his Ways into Work job coach, Mel Stevens, he applied for and secured a 30-hours a week paid contract as a General Services Assistant.

Dylan has recently started an apprenticeship to become a chef. He does on-the-job training while at work and completes his written assessments in his own time. The training is supported by the whole kitchen team at Sodexo, with Adam, the Head Chef, taking a lead in passing on his classical training. Dylan is now confident in butterflying chicken and other cooking methods.

One of his favourite tasks, is preparing hot breakfasts for employees, including preparing eggs to order, something which would be nerve-wracking for most people!

Dylan says: 鈥淚 loved my job even before I got paid, so now it鈥檚 even better. It鈥檚 win-win. Getting paid to do a job I love; I鈥檓 living the dream.鈥�

Dylan鈥檚 advice to anyone in a similar position: 鈥淎lways give it a go, no matter how scary it seems.鈥�

Adam Harty, Head Chef at Sodexo, said: 鈥淔rom day one Dylan showed great potential that he could go far in this industry.

鈥淗e has a great character, always up for a laugh and very well motivated, which makes such a difference in the team.

鈥淭his level of motivation from a young individual is very impressive and motivates the whole team.鈥�

Liz Gentry, Facilities Manager, Sodexo, couldn鈥檛 be more positive about the Supported Internship Programme: 鈥淔rom my team鈥檚 point of view it鈥檚 fantastic development for them too, adapting their leadership style to different interns, and they find it very rewarding.

鈥淲hen an intern finds the department that clicks with them, they change so quickly. We don鈥檛 do anything differently; it鈥檚 just about recognising that person鈥檚 needs around learning and development.鈥�

Organisational commitment and a supportive culture

The governance leads at Sodexo鈥檚 client site are thrilled by Dylan鈥檚 success: 鈥淚t鈥檚 been fantastic to see the journey that Dylan has been on since starting with us.

鈥淗e was initially rather shy, but he鈥檚 found a real purpose in what he鈥檚 doing which is demonstrated in how much more confident he has become. He frequently engages in discussions with employees, and with good humour too!

鈥淓ngaging with organisations such as 每日探花 allows us to commit to our company鈥檚 promises, and for the individuals, it provides valuable experience which they may not find otherwise. In a case like Dylan鈥檚, it can help them find a passion, as well as develop critical skills for their futures.鈥�

Miriam White, Quality Partnership Lead Coordinator at 每日探花, says: 鈥淲e are so pleased with this fantastic outcome for Dylan.

鈥淚t鈥檚 testament to his hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm for the role. Supported internships are very much a team effort, and this outcome wouldn鈥檛 have been possible without the support of the Sodexo team and the fabulous work of the Ways into Work team.鈥�

Discover or contact 每日探花 via 0800 612 6008.