Norse partners Project SEARCH
August 2009

Norse has become a partner in the new multi-agency partnership, Project SEARCH aimed at providing students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities the opportunity to develop employability skills.

The Facilities Management company, one of the largest employers in the County, will be offering places to eight students, who will start the programme in the autumn 2009. The students will be with Norse for one college-year, and each will have three 12-week rotations within the company, learning the skills of each job and about the broader aspects of employment generally.

Project SEARCH brings together employers, education providers and stakeholders from the local community, as part of an employment-focused education programme. It will enable students to gain real work experience by working 5 days per week at a host employer’s premises, combined with on-site classroom sessions.

Its unique education-to-work transition offers education and job support designed to increase the chances of employment at the end of the programme.

Students undertake three 12-week rotations, with a workshop week at the beginning of each rotation. An hour at the beginning and end of each day is spent with a tutor and coach working on employment skills, CV’s, diaries and reflection.

Norse Human Resources Director Tricia Fuller says Norse is an ideal partner for the project:
“We have a large number of varied roles within Norse, where some jobs are routine but complex, and can be learnt by a systematic process - these are ideal for the students,” she says. “This is very much a business-led project, and Norse has a history of supporting people with disabilities into work”

“At the end of programme students can apply for jobs at Norse,” she adds.

Norse’s involvement in Project SEARCH will be led by Alison Peart, who will act as Business Liaison Officer.

Other organisations participating include City College, Norwich, Remploy and Norfolk County Council.