South Hampshire College Group is celebrating multiple successes at the Hampshire and Southampton Supported Internship (SIP) Awards. The College Group were named the ‘Most Supportive Internship Provider’ while student Archie Smith was crowned with the ‘Outstanding Achievement’ Award.
Supported Internships play a vital role in giving individuals with moderate learning difficulties the chance to flourish in the workplace. The skills, training and experience obtained on this one-year course frequently results in paid employment outcomes upon its conclusion. The Hampshire and Southampton Supported Internship Awards celebrate the achievements of young people with learning difficulties and the educators and employers who support them.
Archie Smith was recognised with an Outstanding Achievement Award for his exceptional contribution at his work placement: The Pavilion on The Park in Eastleigh. His genuine care for the community, characterised by his reliability, enthusiasm and helpfulness, saw him voted the Park’s Volunteer of the Month and he has now been offered paid employment, setting him up for life beyond college.
Archie’s latest success comes on the back of two further award wins earlier this month at the South Hampshire College Group Student Awards – one for Inspirational Journey, recognising his outstanding progress, commitment, and positive attitude, and another for Contribution to the Community, highlighting his dedication and the meaningful impact he has made on those around him.
Lorna Cantwell, Lead Job Coach at Eastleigh College, has supported Archie this academic year during his time in college. She commented: “What makes Archie stand out is how he embraced challenges and grew from them. His journey is truly inspirational. He is a credit to himself and a role model to others. Archie, we are all incredibly proud of you – congratulations on winning this award.”
South Hampshire College Group were also delighted to receive the ‘Most Supportive Internship Provider’ at the SIP Awards, a testament to the hard work and year-round efforts of its dedicated Supported Internship team. A close employer partner of the College Group, Nando’s, was further declared runner-up in the ‘Most Supportive Employer’ category.
Rosie Sharp, Eastleigh College Principal, said: “We are incredibly proud that our Job Coach team has been awarded the Most Supportive Education Provider Award at the Hampshire and Southampton Supported Internship Awards. It’s wonderful to see the commitment and passion of our team recognised.
“Supported Internships is an exceptional programme that we are privileged to be part of. Seeing students grow in confidence, develop workplace skills and achieve outcomes they may never have thought possible is truly inspiring. This award means a great deal to us because it reflects our belief in the programme and the transformative difference it makes to the lives of our students.”
