When Dan attended a skills and careers event at the Jubilee Centre in Nuneaton in 2023, he did not realise it would mark the beginning of a journey that would lead to a fulfilling full-time career.
After first discovering Warwickshire Supported Employment Service (WSES) at the event, Dan took the initiative to contact the service himself and was soon paired with a Journey Guide. Through one-to-one support, vocational profiling and regular meetings, WSES helped Dan to identify his strengths, build his confidence, and explore employment opportunities that matched his interests and skills.
Together, Dan and his Journey Guide searched for jobs, practised interview techniques, and worked on building the skills he would need in order to enter the workplace. Dan also attended regular Job Clubs where he gained valuable employability skills alongside others in the same situation looking for work.
Reflecting on his experience, Dan said:
"I highly recommend using WSES. It helps to ease you into the world of work whilst getting the right support with updating your CV and searching for jobs that best suit your skills and experience. It made the whole process a lot easier for me, and I learnt a lot about job hunting and useful techniques to help with preparation for interviews."
In February 2024, Dan attended an industry tour at Nuneaton Signs, who are a national provider of signage based in Warwickshire. The business operates as a social enterprise and is committed to providing employment opportunities for people with disabilities and additional needs.
The visit made an immediate impression. Dan said:
"I like how unique Nuneaton Signs is in supporting people like myself with additional needs, and I definitely wanted to be a part of that. A lot of the work is very active, which suits me as I like to be on my feet and moving around during the day."
Although there were no vacancies available at the time of his first visit, Dan continued working with WSES to develop his employability skills and explore suitable job opportunities. In July 2024, he secured a part-time cleaning role with Hercules in Nuneaton, gaining valuable workplace experience while continuing to pursue full-time employment opportunities.
Dan busy working at Nuneaton Signs.
When a Factory Operative vacancy became available at Nuneaton Signs in early 2025, Dan's longstanding enthusiasm for the organisation made him an ideal candidate. Supported by WSES, he prepared for discussions with Nuneaton Signs about the role and the transition from part-time to full-time employment. Nuneaton Signs also worked closely with him to ensure everything was in place before he started in March 2025. Reasonable adjustments were put in place during his first two weeks to help him settle into employment before moving to his full contracted hours.
Working within the fabrication department, Dan helps manufacture the metal plates for permanent signage, including riveting and adding channels to sign plates. He quickly adapted to the role and the production environment.
Over the following months, WSES carried out regular workplace reviews to support Dan's progression. As his confidence and independence grew, the reviews became less frequent before eventually concluding altogether. Today, Dan no longer requires support from WSES and continues to thrive as a full-time member of the Nuneaton Signs team.
Through the Government's Access to Work scheme, employees and employers can also receive practical advice and tailored workplace support to help people succeed in employment. Alongside this, Dan continues to benefit from the supportive culture at Nuneaton Signs, where the company's in-house Welfare Support Officer regularly checks in with employees and helps ensure they have the support they need.
The full-time role has also brought benefits beyond employment, helping Dan to build new friendships with colleagues, join in with team social activities outside of work, establish clear structures and routines, and gain greater independence.
Reflecting on his experience at Nuneaton Signs, Dan said:
"Working at Nuneaton Signs has helped me to have some routine in my life. Family is very important to me, and with this full-time job now I can support them. I can also afford to do nice things with my girlfriend, such as attending Comic Con events, and it's helped me be more confident in myself.”
Dan added:
"Nuneaton Signs is the best place I've ever worked because of how supportive it is. If there's any gaps in your knowledge, then the team provides you with the right support to help overcome those challenges."
Nuneaton Signs' commitment to creating employment opportunities for people with disabilities and additional needs was recognised nationally when the company received the prestigious King's Award for Enterprise in the Promoting Opportunity category in 2024. The business was the only organisation in the West Midlands and one of only eight businesses across the UK to be recognised in that category in 2024.
Councillor Rob Howard, Warwickshire County Council Portfolio Holder for Economy and Rural Development, said:
"Dan's story demonstrates the life-changing impact that the Warwickshire Supported Employment Service can have. Through personalised support, encouragement and partnership working with inclusive employers such as Nuneaton Signs, the service creates opportunities for Warwickshire's young people and adults with autism and learning disabilities to develop their skills, gain meaningful employment and achieve their ambitions. It's wonderful to see Dan thriving in a role that matches his skills and interests, whilst also gaining confidence, independence and opening up new opportunities for the future."
The Warwickshire Supported Employment Service supports people with disabilities, autism, learning disabilities, mental health conditions, and other barriers to employment to identify their strengths, develop workplace skills and secure meaningful paid work. The service also works with employers to create inclusive workplaces and provide ongoing support where needed.
For Dan, that support has helped turn a chance conversation at a careers event into a successful long-term career. He said:
"You get to go through the process with other people in the same boat as you, so you never feel alone. Through WSES I gained useful knowledge, valuable skills, and the confidence to succeed at work."
To learn more about Warwickshire Skills Hub and how it can help your business to grow inclusive and sustainable workforces, visit https://skillshub.warwickshire.gov.uk/