Avrenim is a proud partner of Project SEARCH

22.01.2024

Adam Newberry, General Manager at Avrenim, visited the Avrenim team at Broadgreen Hospital to see first-hand the impactful work they are doing in partnership with Project SEARCH. 

Project SEARCH is a transition-to-work programme that provides real-life work experience, combined with training in employability and independent-living skills, for young people with learning disabilities, autism spectrum conditions, or both.

The programme equips these individuals with the correct tools and experiences to become successful in life as well as challenging and changing cultures, demonstrating how young people with a learning disability can enrich the workforce, bring incredible skills and talent, encourage greater diversity and meet a real business need.

Two standout examples from Avrenim’s engagement with Project SEARCH is Katie who left Avrenim in 2023, a trainee multi-skilled technician and Liam, who is currently with Avrenim as a trainer joiner. Both students exemplify the programme’s success and the incredible impact it can have on our younger generation.

Their day starts with college classes hosted on-site until 10 am. They then spend the rest of the day working as part of the Avrenim team, contributing to the maintenance of the hospital estate alongside our experienced technicians.

During Adam’s visit, he got to see the work they have been doing and hear their stories – Liam is an inspiration! The skills he has developed in joinery are showcased in all of his work, from singlehandedly constructing and fitting new gates to replacing intricate locks in very old door sets. 

Beyond trade skills, the benefit of building their self-confidence and professional awareness shone through. This is not only down to their hard work, but also the hard work of the City of Liverpool College, the Project SEARCH team, and of course the team at Avrenim who have been investing their time to train, coach and mentor. 

It is such a worthwhile cause, to see the confident, smiling students gain the meaningful work experience needed to enable a smooth transition to working life. We are proud of everyone involved!

Everyone deserves the right to aspire to the very best future, yet only 4.8% of people in England with a learning disability who are known to local authorities go on to secure paid employment, compared to 80% of their peers.

Using this model, over 60 per cent of those undertaking a DFN Project SEARCH programme graduate into full-time paid employment and the programme in total has provided over 1,000 young people with a pathway from education into work with the goal over the next decade to get 20,000 young adults into paid employment, which would be transformative for them, their families and the community.

To find out more, please visit the DFN Project Search and HFT websites.