McKenzie was a student at Bridge College for three years, and has always been involved in college life. He was a big fan of practical work and working with his hands: with horticulture being one of his favourites.
While at Bridge College, he developed the independence and confidence needed to secure a spot on our first ever Supported Internship programme in 2024, in collaboration with Sodexo and DFN Project SEARCH in Salford.
For a whole year, he worked as an intern alongside the team at Sodexo and got hands-on experience as part of the facilities and maintenance team.
The Supported Internship also focused on upskilling the interns and doing classroom-based work to learn what is expected of them during the placements, including how to be professional, time management skills, travel training, budgeting skills, health and safety in the workplace, and being ready to work. This prepared McKenzie for the realities of transitioning from being a student into being a graduate looking for paid employment.
In 2024, McKenzie shared “I like being here! It gets me so confident I will get a job at the end of this programme”
McKenzie’s prediction was correct. When he finished his Supported Internship, he applied for a job at his former college, and got it!
Ever since he has been one of our staff members at Bridge College working on the Facilities team. His job is varied and keeps him busy going all over the college: from grounds maintenance to stock taking in the classrooms.
And the best part? McKenzie has always been a friendly face around college so lots of staff and students remember him and chat to him as he goes on about his day. He not only got a job in an environment he likes, be one that he is familiar with and has lots of friends in already.
McKenzie is proof that the right support can enable disabled young people to achieve anything they set their minds to. We are incredibly proud of having welcomed McKenzie to be part of our staff team at the Together Trust.
Want to watch McKenzie in action? Watch the video below to see his story!
