Four people with hidden impairments have completed a 12-week job placement at Transport for Greater Manchester.
The exercise is aimed at helping them build confidence in the world of work. Abigayle Murray, 20, of Altrincham, Sharik Riaz, 21, of Cheetham Hill, David Fogg, 51, of Hyde, and Mikey Rice, 21, of Stockport, took part in the Employment Placement Programme.
A hidden impairment is a communication or learning disability, such as dyslexia, meaning the individual may need extra help and development in certain tasks. The quartet worked across several TfGM departments including policy, research, information technology and administration for one day per-week over the three months. They were also paired with a TfGM employee or buddy to help mentor them. Since the start of the scheme, two of the four have secured employment .
Says Mikey Rice, ‘Working in the Information Systems department at TfGM as part of the EPP scheme was very enjoyable and a great opportunity for me. I was specifically involved in assisting my ‘buddy’ with the maintenance and updating of computer technology. It helped build my confidence as well as giving me some very valuable experience in a large organisation.’
His ‘buddy’, Chris Leigh, from TfGM’s Information Systems department, said, ‘Mikey was a pleasure to work with during the placement. I am extremely pleased that he felt he learnt from it and I hope his future is a bright one.’
