DFN Project SEARCH speak to BBC Radio Cumbria about the successful launch of their programme at Furness General Hospital and how they are expanding

The ground-breaking DFN Project SEARCH programme led by Furness College recently spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria about the successful launch of their programme at Furness General Hospital and how they are expanding.

There are currently eight young people on the project completing internships at Furness General Hospital to start their path to paid employment.

Furness College’s Assistant Principal for Curriculum Sue Hannan said she had been approached by BAE Systems as a direct result of the positive impact of the programme at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay.

“We are delighted to be launching a second DFN Project SEARCH Supported Internship programme in Barrow.”

“Health services and BAE Systems are the two largest employers in our area creating multiple opportunities to help young adults with learning disabilities and/or autism spectrum conditions to secure the skills needed for competitive employment.”

BAE Systems Submarines Engineering Director Jon Shaw said throughout his career he had seen first-hand the value that interns could bring to an organisation.

“The development and building of the Royal Navy’s Submarines at BAE in Barrow is a huge undertaking and one of the most exciting and complex feats of engineering on the planet and we need to grow our workforce,” he said.

“The DFN Project SEARCH Supported Internship programme provides BAE with the opportunity to continue to improve its competitiveness through access to a terrific pool of local diverse talent – talent which we may have missed through traditional recruitment processes.”

DFN Project SEARCH is working with the host employer to develop the programme, which will enable successful candidates aged 18 to 24 to take up roles across a range of disciplines

You can listen to the interview with Furness College on BBC Sounds.