Jamie Stevenson is a Director at Torwood Garden Centre in Larbert, Central Scotland. An independent business for over 75 years, Torwood is currently managed by the 3rd & 4th generations of the Stevenson family. The garden centre also offers customers a popular food hall and award-winning restaurant.
“Our restaurant has always worked closely with the local SEN secondary school to provide practical work experience for young people who may not have qualifications, but are able and keen to learn and work. We have also worked with other secondary schools to find work experience for young people for whom classroom learning isn't working, and a practical approach based in the workplace is more valuable as they consider their next steps.”
“The work experience programme varies by the individual, and we work with them and the schools to identify roles which would best suit their skills and any requirements they might have. This might include working in a quieter environment and not face to face with customers, or the opposite if someone is looking to expand their communication skills. Generally, a placement lasts either for 2 weeks either full to part time, or one day a week for a few months as part of their learning plan.”
With the garden centre having many different areas and departments, Jamie and his colleagues can also help the young people build a wide range of skills.
“In the garden centre, tasks include plant care, merchandising, stock management, customer service, cash handling and using of our till system. In catering, we have had work placements in most roles, from chef and kitchen porter to customer assistants, baristas and hygiene roles clearing tables.”
“These tasks help to build horticulture, retail and catering skills for young people; however, I feel that for most the greatest benefit is social interaction in the workplace, both with other staff and with customers. This is a life-long, transferable skill which can be hard to teach in school and is sadly not easily gained by young people in the age of social media.”
“In many cases pupils we have worked with through the SEN school have gone on to take permanent paid positions in our restaurant, including full time roles as a Kitchen Porter and a Customer Assistant, and part time roles clearing and taking food to tables.”
“The support given to the business from schools varies depending on the needs of the individual pupil, but we find that after an initial introduction and discussion about their interests, young people develop best when allowed to deal with as many aspects of the work experience themselves as possible. This allows them to gain confidence and broader skills which will support them when they go on to look for jobs in the future, often thriving without the ‘safety net’ which the school originally provides.”