AN MP has found out more about the work of a student she met at a college event.

Following a Supported Internships Celebration Event hosted at the Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT) Basingstoke Maria Miller MP, visited supported intern Britney Boyd at her work at Sandown Mercedes Basingstoke, in Edison Road.

The programme supports students with special educational needs who have undertaken work experience as part of their Level 1 Certificate in Employability.

The programme is designed to help young people with special educational needs get into the workplace. It runs over one year, and students undertake employability training at BCoT as well as a substantial period of work experience placement.

Mrs Miller was welcomed by Neal White, Sandown Mercedes services manager, along with members of the BCoT team, and met Britney who has completed 100 hours work experience.

Maria said: “This is a fantastic initiative and it is clear that everyone involved has found it really valuable. Fewer than one in ten people with a learning disability in Hampshire are able to get into work.

"This is a real waste of talent, given that so many employers are struggling to find enough people to fill some vacancies. I so enjoyed Chatting to Britney supported by the dedicated BCoT and Mercedes staff.

"It was wonderful to see the skills and confidence that Britney has acquired during her placement and so encouraging to learn that as a result she has been offered a full time job in Basingstoke.

"I would strongly encourage local businesses who could consider offering a work experience placement under this scheme to contact BCoT for further information.”