A CELEBRATION for young learners with special educational needs was attended by an MP.

Maria Miller MP was at the Supported Internships Celebration Event hosted at the Restaurant at Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT).

The event celebrated young people with special educational needs who have undertaken work experience this year 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 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 meeting the students and their carers supported by the dedicated staff and local employers.

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