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Only seven per cent of people with a learning disability are in paid employment, according to the Office for National Statistics.

This week is Learning Disabilities Work Experience Week organised by charity Mencap and Inclusive Employers, which helps employers to develop an inclusive workplace.

It aims to improve the employability of people with learning difficulties, and raise awareness of the benefits for businesses in thinking differently about who they recruit.

Many people with a learning disability are able and want to work but a lack of experience is a major barrier.

Royal College Manchester is tackling this problem with a new internship programme.

A group of nine final-year students with support staff is now based permanently at the Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre in Wythenshawe.

Along with their onsite classroom-based learning, students have a range of roles at the conference facility and leisure centre, including a daily litter pick, two-hourly monitoring of the toilets for cleanliness, setting up rooms for conference and wedding receptions, laundry and gardening.

Carol Honeini, Seashell Trust's supported internship manager, said: “All the students accepted the transition from college extremely well. We are using a special assessment tool to measure the students’ progress over the year. This focuses on job-specific skills and experience; job search skills, social skills, challenges. It enables us to chart progress as new skills are developed and to support them to find appropriate work that is both enjoyable and relevant.”

Many of the students have no speech but now get real-life practice in communicating with people using iPads or picture cards which is vital for their independence and confidence.

Carol said: “Students now go into the cafeteria and order their own lunches, communicating independently with the staff who now know them by name. Interaction between our students and others outside their own circle of staff is very heart-warming to see.

“I have seen a marked difference in the behaviour of the students, they are calm and happy when at the centre, and some are even humming and singing to themselves. Their confidence seems at a high. They are very communicative and are always accepting of people around them and more physical tasks.”

Sally Moores, Seashell Trust jobs coach, said: “Two of the students, Georgia Ireton and Robert Barber, particularly thrived setting up the function room for a wedding. It was a fantastic achievement, and it was great for them to see the results from their hard work. They saw all stages of the process from washing the linen to dressing the tables.

“Siggy Duncan who, during her time at college, struggled to sit with her peers at lunchtime and sat by herself with one member of staff in another area. While at the centre she helps to order the lunches and sits with her peers whilst she eats.”

“I would like to pass on our thanks to the team at Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre for the way they interact and communicate with the students.”

The students have been put forward by staff at the centre for a Manchester City Council Be Proud award.

Nicola Moore, operations officer for the Wythenshawe Community Housing Group at Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre, said: “I am so grateful for the support the students have provided at the centre. I came in work for a meeting with my trainers only to be surprised to find that not only had the students got the equipment together but the whole room was set up - and what a good job they had done.”

The goal is to provide young people graduating from Royal College Manchester with real job skills so they are employable, either independently or with support.

Carol said: “Students hope to progress into supported employment when their course ends. Our job coach works with them, college staff, employers and relevant agencies to find each student a position in their home area. Her role includes an additional six months' support after students finish the course to ensure positive outcomes are maintained.”