Determined, hard-working, resilient, enthusiastic, positive….these are all words to describe one of WESC Foundations’s amazing learners, Susan, who has just secured her first paid employment role at KFC in Exeter.
Despite her visual impairment Susan, aged 22, stood out to the managers at KFC during her year’s work experience placement so much so that when a vacancy for Lobby Host came up Susan was their first choice to fill the position.
Susan, originally from Wales, has been a full-time residential learner at WESC Foundation for the past four years. She studies an NCFE Award in Occupational Studies, AQA Functional Skills, BTEC Work Skills, and AQA Art.
Throughout her time at WESC Susan also has successfully participated in a variety of work placements including Sainsbury’s, WESC’s own radio station and social enterprise charity shops, along with SENSE café in Exeter city centre.
Skills such as mobility and orientation, money handling, ICT, food preparation etc. that Susan has learnt at WESC have all helped her prepare for work and gain employment.
Talking about her new job Susan says: “I am so happy to have been employed at KFC. I absolutely loved my work experience there and was so thrilled to have been successful with the interview.
“Although the role at KFC is similar to my previous work placements, it is much more challenging as it’s very busy but this has taught me how to prioritise my tasks.”
Rebecca Marks, KFC’s Restaurant General Manager, says: “At KFC we are supportive of people with disabilities where we can be. We have many staff with disabilities who work here including people with hearing loss and learning difficulties. Susan is a valued member of staff at KFC. She arrives at work full of smiles and keen to work. It’s lovely to have Susan as part of the team. She always makes an effort to talk to people. I think in every organisation there is always a job that people with disabilities can do with the right support.”
