Nexer Digital partners with charity to boost SEND careers

Nexer Digital has formed a partnership with Manchester-based Digital Skills Training Charity, Digital Advantage, to enhance job prospects for young people with disabilities in the tech industry.

This collaboration aims to provide substantial work placements and opportunities for young individuals with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), aiding their progress toward careers in the creative and digital fields. Through this initiative, Nexer Digital is taking active steps to improve inclusivity within the sector.

Ryan Hill, aged 20, is the first candidate appointed through this scheme. He commenced his placement this month and will be working two days a week until the end of the year. This opportunity aims to provide him with valuable hands-on experience in the industry.

The initiative will equip students with practical knowledge to prepare them for future employment in the digital industry. As a human-centred design agency, Nexer Digital's programme will cover various disciplines such as user research, user experience design, software development, testing, and accessibility.

Alongside offering work placements, Nexer Digital will conduct sessions on web accessibility and usability testing at DISC, the Digital Independent Specialist College in Manchester, managed by Digital Advantage.

Ezra Rushen, Director of Training at Digital Advantage, commented, "We are incredibly excited to partner with Nexer on this innovative collaboration. At Digital Advantage, our mission is to empower young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities to pursue meaningful careers in the digital and creative industries. By working with Nexer, our interns will gain invaluable hands-on experience and insight into the tech industry. This partnership will help us bridge the gap between education and employment, ensuring that our interns are well-prepared to thrive in an inclusive digital workforce."

This initiative forms part of Nexer Digital's broader strategy to invest in equitable recruitment practices. This strategy includes boot camps, placements, and apprenticeships, developed in collaboration with organisations such as Love Circular, Diverse & Equal, and Manchester Digital.

Hilary Stephenson, Managing Director of Nexer Digital, stated, "As a Disability Confident Employer, we're committed to creating accessible and inclusive workplaces, as well as helping shape a more equitable and diverse tech landscape."

Stephenson further added, "This partnership is a crucial step towards ensuring that young people with disabilities have the opportunities and support they need to succeed. We are so pleased to have offered our first placement and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on both the intern and our team."