SUPPORT for a scheme that helps people with learning difficulties into the workplace is growing, after six students secured placements with a Bury car dealership.

RRG Group, which operates 26 centres across the North West and Yorkshire, has become the latest company to support Bury College's new supported internship programme.

The students from the college have been given placements at the RRG Bury, RRG Peugeot and RRG Kia dealerships, as the college works to help the youngsters overcome barriers to real employment.

Cheryl Jones, a tutor at the college, has reported positive feedback from both students and businesses.

She said: "The supported internship scheme helps develop confidence and creates independence. Transferring classroom learnt skills to a workplace reinforces the students' abilities and allows them the opportunity to demonstrate their strengths to employers."

Dominic Pickering, aged 23, from Radcliffe, has been given a placement in the parts department and says the programme has improved his confidence in the workplace.

He said: “The staff are really friendly here, I would recommend the experience, it has allowed me to develop my people skills and build my confidence. In the future, I would like to work in a customer facing role.”

The college is now encouraging more local and national businesses to get involved with the initiative and help inspire young people who may have previously thought that employment was not an option for them.

Tammy Davies, the programme's co-ordinator, said: "Whilst our priority is helping and supporting young people with learning disabilities to find real work, supported internships provide a range of benefits for companies including improving the supervisory and coaching skills of existing staff and building evidence that you are supporting Government initiatives and policies."

For more information on supported internships at Bury College: call 0161 280 8280 / 8216 or visit www.burycollege.ac.uk