DJH deliver Work Experience For SEND Students

Last week marked the conclusion of an exciting and impactful work experience week as part of the Pathfinder Programme in partnership with DJH. Between 23–27 February, five talented students from Trafford and Stockport College – all with SEND (Special Educational Needs & Disabilities) spent a full week in DJH’s Altrincham office.

Aimed at giving the students a thorough understanding of what to expect from one of the UK’s fastest growing accountancy firms, we’re thrilled to share that the week was a success, and the students gained a lot from it.

Read on to discover what went down during DJH’s jampacked week!

DJH’s Pathfinder Programme

DJH’s work experience week kicked off with some senior leadership talks to energise and equip the students with the insights and inspiration needed to make the most of the week.

The week was dotted with a range of workshops to enhance skillsets, including:

CV Writing Workshop – students learned how to craft strong personal profiles and highlight achievements in a way that appeals to recruiters.

Presentation and Communication Skills – facilitated sessions helped students practice structuring and delivering effective presentations with confidence.

Excel Skills Training – practical work using Microsoft Excel introduced the students to essential functions and real-world data tasks they might encounter on the job.

One of the core elements of the programme involved the opportunity to shadow various staff members, so the students could gain a thorough understanding of the day-to-day activities of a range of job functions.

The week progressed with the third and fourth mentoring sessions, in which pairs looked into key development areas, and towards the future and their next steps post-programme.

Finally, the students were given the opportunity to present their findings on the week in small groups to their mentors and other DJH staff members. To celebrate ending the week on such a high, the students joined their mentors for a group lunch, reflecting on all their achievements the past week.

Continuing the Journey

While the week’s structured experience has now come to a close, the relationships built and skills developed won’t stop here. Through the broader Pathfinder Programme, many of these students can continue to receive support from their mentors, helping them reflect on their experience, plan next steps and continue building confidence as they prepare for future opportunities.

It’s been a joy to see the students flourish over the course of the programme, and we couldn’t be prouder of their achievements. Of course, none of this would have been possible without DJH’s commitment to delivering these sessions. Thank you to all those at DJH for making it such a special experience!