Ethan was supported on Yep! by Bev, an Adviser with CSW Group, who had worked with him previously at St Austell College in a previous role, so it was great to reconnect. 

Ethan had done well in his GCSES and was able to progress to a Level 3 Course in IT and Media at St Austell College for which he achieved a distinction.  He then completed an Employability Programme through Future Foundations in addition to the 1:1 support with the college. 

Ethan had left college 18 months ago and felt frustrated that he did not receive constructive feedback from any of the job interviews he had attended.  Ethan has autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and felt that some of the employers he met lacked knowledge of autism. For example, Ethan would often look away and avoid eye contact but to people who knew him well they understood he was listening intently and was processing what was being said. Unfortunately, some employers did not know this so were possibly misunderstanding his body language as a lack of interest. 

Ethan did some interview preparation sessions with Bev and wanted to research information about potential employers, a great idea as it played to his strength of an excellent memory, his confidence grew by utilising his natural strengths. 

Bev liaised with fellow Yep! partner Cornwall Education Business Partnership (EBP) who have lots of connections with employers and champion Supported Internships in Cornwall on the Diversity to Thrive programme.  One of these employers, a Solicitors showed interest in Ethan and were looking for an Office Assistant to develop bookkeeping skills which appealed to Ethan. 

An interview was arranged, and the employer was given an overview of Ethan and background information on his autism so that they understood his needs and strengths. This made such a difference and had a positive impact for both. The employer allowed Bev to accompany Ethan to the interview which helped to make Ethan more relaxed.   

The interview was a success, and Ethan was offered a Supported Internship of 2 days a week (unpaid), with a review after 8 weeks.  Hopefully leading to increased hours of paid employment as a permanent contract. 

Ethan is also doing voluntary work at Wheal Martyn 1 day a week which he is enjoying.  He will continue with this until he secures more hours with his new employer.   

Ethan is delighted with this outcome, and we feel it is so well deserved, he is a young man who is so committed, shows integrity and fortitude and has never given up trying to secure employment despite so many setbacks and lack of feedback from interviews. 

‘On both a professional and personal level I am also so very pleased with this outcome and think he really deserved this success and feel very positive that it is going to work out for him long terms with this employer as they have been so supportive. They have just given positive feedback so far and feel he will be an “asset” to their team and will really thrive there when settled in.’ Bev