A skills and careers event in Nuneaton in 2023 marked the beginning of a transformative journey for Dan, leading to a fulfilling full-time career. After discovering the Warwickshire Supported Employment Service (WSES), Dan proactively contacted the service and was paired with a Journey Guide. Through personalised support, vocational profiling, and regular meetings, WSES assisted Dan in identifying his strengths, building confidence, and exploring employment opportunities aligned with his interests and skills.
Dan and his Journey Guide collaborated on job searching, interview practice, and developing essential employability skills. He also attended regular Job Clubs, gaining valuable skills alongside others seeking employment. Dan reflected, "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 visited Nuneaton Signs, a national signage provider based in Warwickshire operating as a social enterprise committed to employing individuals with disabilities and additional needs. The visit left a strong impression on Dan, who stated, "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 no vacancies were available initially, Dan continued working with WSES. In July 2024, he secured a part-time cleaning role with Hercules in Nuneaton, gaining workplace experience while continuing his search for full-time employment. When a Factory Operative vacancy arose at Nuneaton Signs in early 2025, Dan's sustained interest made him an ideal candidate. Supported by WSES, he prepared for discussions about the role and the transition to full-time work. Nuneaton Signs implemented reasonable adjustments during his first two weeks to aid his transition before he moved to his full contracted hours in March 2025.
Working in the fabrication department, Dan now manufactures metal plates for permanent signage, including riveting and adding channels. He has adapted quickly to the role and production environment. WSES conducted regular workplace reviews to support his progression, which became less frequent as his confidence and independence grew, eventually concluding. Dan now thrives as a full-time member of the Nuneaton Signs team without requiring WSES support.
The Government's Access to Work scheme provides practical advice and tailored support for employees and employers. Dan also benefits from the supportive culture at Nuneaton Signs, where an in-house Welfare Support Officer ensures employees receive necessary assistance. The full-time role has brought significant personal benefits, including new friendships, participation in social activities, established routines, and greater independence. Dan shared, "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."
He 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 inclusivity was recognised nationally with the King's Award for Enterprise in the Promoting Opportunity category in 2024, being one of only eight UK businesses and the only one in the West Midlands to receive this honour.
Councillor Rob Howard, Warwickshire County Council Portfolio Holder for Economy and Rural Development, commented, "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 individuals with disabilities, autism, learning disabilities, mental health conditions, and other employment barriers. It helps them identify strengths, develop skills, and secure paid work, while also assisting employers in creating inclusive workplaces. For Dan, this support has transformed a chance encounter at a careers event into a successful long-term career. He stated, "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."
