GLL, the UK's largest leisure charitable social enterprise, held its first ‘Steps into Work' graduation ceremony this week, which saw eight students with learning disabilities graduate from an internship programme run by National Star College in partnership with Remploy.

The ceremony at the London Aquatics Centre marked the end of a number of GLL work placements for students from across Greater London, who worked at GLL leisure centres and libraries across the academic year while gaining a City and Guilds qualification in Customers Services from National Star College.

National Star College, in partnership with Remploy and Barking and Dagenham College, is actively seeking to improve the 1:20 ratio of young people with learning disabilities who find paid work after leaving school. GLL joined the ‘Steps into Work' scheme last September and will again be accepting new student placements for the next academic year. GLL also announced that two students who took part in the programme have subsequently been offered part-time employment with the leisure operator.

"It is great to see how the placements have had such a positive impact on the students' confidence, with GLL staff also embracing the project and its ideals,” said GLL managing director Mark Sesnan.