Students gained real-life experience from a business perspective about being part of a project on something very topical. The students were split into groups and had to design an idea for an eco/sustainable house and present it to the employers, justifying their designs. Many of their skills were tested including presenting to an audience, conducting research, being creative, budgeting and working as a team.  Employers gave feedback to the groups throughout the day and judged the final presentations, awarding prizes accordingly.

The day gave students an exciting, real-life experience that linked into careers and helped them to develop lots of different transferable skills.  We want to teach our young people as many of the skills that employers are looking for as possible so that they are ready for the world of work.

As well as giving our students a taste of working with industry professionals and preparing them for the wider world beyond Heathermount, it was also an opportunity to share with employers what an autistic young person can be like and to dispel some of the common misconceptions around how people may view children who are autistic.