Careers Hub supports special education needs students to access work experience opportunities

Case study

The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority’s Careers Hub recruits and supports Enterprise Advisers - professionals who volunteer to partner with a local school to develop their careers programmes and utilise their own networks to further work experience opportunities for students. The Careers Hub placed Liz Christie – a Change Consultant, as a volunteer Enterprise Adviser to work closely with Kingsweston School.

Liz connected the school with First Bus. Initially, health and safety concerns prevented traditional work experience opportunities at the bus depot, so Liz arranged for two students to meet a bus driver in a local café. This alternative allowed the students to ask questions about the role, learn more about the industry, and practise planning interview-style questions.

What next?

Kingsweston School then organised for two more students to meet a bus driver, who went above and beyond: not only did he discuss his job, but he also brought along a bus to show the students! He demonstrated how the bus worked and sent the students back to school with a bag of First Bus merchandise.

Building on the success of the initial meeting, First Bus visited Kingsweston School during National Careers Week. Students aged 4-19 had the opportunity to explore a bus up close, press buttons, sit in the driver’s seat, and ask questions. First Bus drivers were on hand to provide insights into career opportunities, distribute lanyards and high-visibility jackets, and inspire students with their enthusiasm and support.

What the participants said:

The experience had a particularly profound impact on two students with autism who attended the first meeting. While the two students both had an interest in buses, they would normally find it very hard to try new things. The visit encouraged them to push themselves, giving them a sense of achievement and excitement about their futures. A year later, they continue to talk about their experience:

“I thought the visit to the bus depot was really good. I was so excited and it was brilliant and amazing. It made me feel curious. In the future, I want to be a bus driver or write the bus routes.”

“Seeing the bus station made me very happy. I now watch lots of videos about buses and want to do my work experience at First Bus.”

What was the impact?

The initiative blossomed into a fully-fledged partnership with tangible benefits for both Kingsweston School and First Bus. The collaboration has opened up dialogue about alternative roles within First Bus that may be realistic and achievable for SEN students.

With support from the West of England Careers Hub, Kingsweston School plans to expand their partnerships, by continuing to engage with First Bus while exploring opportunities with other transportation and logistics companies.

The success of this case study highlights the power of collaboration and innovation when schools, employers, and Careers Hub Enterprise Advisers come together. Through tailored support and persistence, Kingsweston School and First Bus have demonstrated how meaningful career experiences can positively impact students’ lives, helping them build confidence, skills, and aspirations for the future.

By linking schools to local employers, the Careers Hub ensures that young people, regardless of their individual challenges, can access opportunities that prepare them for future success.