Employers who provide work placements for our students and supported interns were invited to a Lunch & Learn event at our Gobowen campus, to thank them for their ongoing support.
The event included a workshop on Communication in the Workplace, delivered by pathway leads Jessie Vaughan and David Thompson-Pearce, sharing practical tips to help learners thrive in real work settings.
The session explored how language choices can support understanding and confidence, how verbal and non-verbal cues can help, and how to ask effective questions while allowing time for processing.
Jessie, a Makaton tutor, spoke about supporting speech and understanding using Makaton signs, and taught attendees some useful signs for the workplace.
Attendees also discussed keeping communication concise, breaking instructions into manageable steps, and giving people time to process information. Blank’s Levels of Questioning was introduced as a way to match questions to the right level of understanding for each student.
Chloe Yeomans, owner of Open Space Studios, supports two students on weekly work experience placements, Jess and Malcolm.
Chloe said: “It really made me think, especially about Blank’s Levels, which I could use with children as well as young people with SEND. I have taught children and young people for a long time and not come across Blank’s before. It goes to show there’s always more to learn. I’m the kind of person who works at speed and sometimes I talk fast too, so it’s made me more aware of taking time to ensure I’m understood.”
Derwen College would like to thank all employers who offer placements and inclusive opportunities for our learners. Your ongoing support helps young people build confidence, develop workplace skills and take positive steps towards future employment.