Unlocking hobbies and future pathways: Parents Careers Afternoon at Inscape House
On Tuesday 6 December, Inscape students and parents gathered at the Together Trust for a Parents Careers Afternoon.
Students had the opportunity to speak with representatives from local colleges – Trafford College, PINC College, Manchester College and David Lewis College – and hear from guest speaker Zoe Macey, Supported Internship Coordinator at Cheshire East.
“Supported Internships aim to bridge that gap from education into work," Zoe explained. “People who go on supported internships have an amazing opportunity to bridge the gap into paid employment.”
Supported internships are a 12-month program available for 16- to 24-year-olds with an educational healthcare plan. Zoe gave an overview of how students work with a job coach towards the program's four key areas: Preparing for Adulthood, Health, Community Inclusion and Independent Living and Employability.
Career preparation is an integral part of the curriculum.
We were lucky to be joined by Jacob, an Inscape graduate who is now studying game development at the industry-led creative college Access Creative.
“I’m learning how to create games – things you see on your phone or your PC. I’m learning how the character moves, how to jump, or how to get from one place to another,” Jacob said.
“If you had told me seven years ago that I’d be standing right here, on this floor, talking to you all now, I’d call you a liar! But, because of the wonderful people around me, they helped me gain that confidence to speak to you all.”
Throughout the year, Inscape offers Careers Events that provide students, parents and guardians access to career information in preparation for future transitions. These events include talks and visits from employees across different industries like the annual STEAM Careers Day, trips to experience day to employers like National Trust's Dunham Massey, mock interview practices, workshops to teach students more about the hospitality industry with local restaurants, and Young Enterprise activities. It was at one of these events that Jacob first got engaged with his future college.
“Inscape first introduced me to Access Creative and, to be honest, if it wasn’t for Inscape House taking me to that fair, I would never have got to where I am today. I would never have learnt how to unlock my hobbies.”
He added: “I’m still learning and looking to improve myself, but I’m on the path where I know I’ll get a job.”
Marie Young, Teacher at Inscape School, added: "We organise events like this so that parents, carers and pupils have information and are aware about future pathways after Inscape House.
“This information is so powerful and inspiring for our young people when planning for their futures, which can sometimes be a daunting experience."
