AS THOUSANDS of students receive their further education results yesterday (Thursday, August 15) an apprentice from Northfield shared his alternative route into employment in order to inspire others to explore their options.
22-year-old Josh Davis, who is living with autism, refused to let not excelling at school get in the way of him shaping a career.
After meeting with GMI construction group at South and City College, Josh secured himself a supported internship after the company were struck by his enthusiasm and drive to increase his independence.
Supported internships are work-based study programmes for 16 to 24 year-olds with special educational needs or disabilities and an education, health and care plan (EHCP).
As a result of his improved communication skills in a work-based and supportive environment, Josh is now working towards a full-time level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship.
Josh, from Northfield said, “For anyone getting their results this year, I would say do not worry – there are lots of options available for you and I strongly recommend you find out more about internships or apprenticeships.
“Being offered an apprenticeship by GMI construction was definitely the right pathway for me and has been life-changing.”
West Midlands Combined Authority chose to highlight Josh’s and other apprentice success stories in order to encourage the next generation to consider vocational routes to employment.
Richard Parker, mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, said: “Good luck to everyone collecting results tomorrow.
“Whatever your results, there are so many different paths to success, such as apprenticeships, internships and bootcamps providing hands-on experience.
“My career path wasn’t straightforward, and it may be that yours isn’t either – I studied later in life and really benefitted from taking a different route to many of my friends.”
“It’s why I want to create as many opportunities as possible for young people in the West Midlands, so there are different routes to success available.
“It’s also why I launched my Youth Plan which aims to tackle youth unemployment – working with businesses to create 20,000 new opportunities in work experience, apprenticeships and training in the region.”
