Gaining skills for the workplace and adult life is a key element of Shaftesbury Millie College’s Future Pathways programme.
The college, based on a 350-acre countryside site near Poole, supports young people aged 16-25+ with a range of learning and physical disabilities.
Blending education with enterprise, the college aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and meaningful pathways to employment, working with partners to provide opportunities for students to gain vocational skills.
One example, is the community partnership the college has developed with the National Trust. Using skills learned at the college, groups of students make regular visits to the Kingston Lacy estate, where they weed, mulch, prune, and maintain the pond.
“Kingston Lacy gives our post-16 students, and post-25 volunteers, opportunities to rehearse and develop skills in different areas off-site,” says Anna Sweeney, Horticulture Lead. “This is ideal for students looking to pursue voluntary work or a career in horticulture or to build on skills for personal interest. The students also learn how to prepare for work and how to use tools and equipment safely.”
Through other community contracts, planting displays in the tiered planters along Canford Cliffs high street, creating hanging baskets for South Lytchett Manor Caravan and Camping Park, as well as businesses in Broadstone, students are expanding their enterprise skills. They gain an understanding of customers’ needs and budgets, develop communication skills and are able to apply horticulture principles learned during lessons.
If you are looking for support for a community contract, or could offer a short or long-term work placement to students, please get in touch. Email apearsall@shaftesburygroup.org