20 Mar 2023

Students with special education needs invited to take part in competition

andy-street(902161)

Students attending Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP) schools in the region have been invited to take part in a design and construction competition which has been launched by the Midland Metro Alliance.

The Midland Metro Alliance, working on behalf of Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), has written to each SEND and AP school in Birmingham and the Black Country with details of the competition which will run throughout the spring and is asking young people to design and build a bug hotel or to share their designs for a tram stop.

The activity is part of the skills and employability workstream that the MMA delivers alongside planning and building a number of tramway extensions for TfWM and is aimed to develop young people 's collaborative and creative skills whilst also highlighting important topics like biodiversity and sustainability.

The workstream also promotes the light rail and construction sectors as inclusive ones with a variety of roles suited for people of all academic levels and backgrounds.

Andy Street (pictured), mayor of the West Midlands, said: “It 's important that our employers - large and small - engage with local communities in order to promote the range of job opportunities available to people on their very doorsteps.

“That 's why it 's wonderful to learn more about the great work that the Midland Metro Alliance is doing with local schools to support young people with special educational needs - helping to break down barriers and expand access to employment right across our region. ”

Teams chosen by their school or college to enter the competition will be competing for trophies across multiple different age groups and will also be in the running to win prizes including day-trips to local attractions in the region.

Rose Rees, head of engagement at skills at Midland Metro Alliance, said: “Everyone with special educational needs or disabilities has the right to live a happy, healthy and productive life and I 'm grateful to so many of my colleagues, and our partners at Black Country Consortium, who are giving up their time to help support this endeavour which will assist in enhancing educational experiences and introducing these children and young people to local employers. ”

The competition launches on Monday 17 April with competing schools asked to send in their entries by Monday 19 June 2023. Schools have also been asked to document students ' journeys, too, via photographs, diaries and videos and the MMA will sharing these throughout spring on their social media channels. Judging is set to take place in early July.