Landmarks Specialist College welcomed representatives from Greene King for a visit across several of its sites this week, offering insight into the college’s approach to supported learning, employability, and partnership working.
Kat Harper, Director of Sustainability, and Robert Cooke, Social Mobility Manager at Greene King, toured Landmarks’ facilities, meeting learners and staff while seeing first-hand the opportunities available to young people with additional needs.
Greene King works in partnership with Landmarks Specialist College to support young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) into employment.
The pub company and brewer has been employing learners from Landmarks Specialist College since 2021 as part of the Wayfinder Work Connect teams supported internship programme.
Wayfinder supports learners finding work on a one-to-one basis, employing job coaches, working with employers and developing employability skills with learners.
In 2024, Greene King made a commitment to partner with Landmarks Specialist College in the supported internship programme, and, with Supported Internship Day just around the corner, the pair have been working closely to develop pathways into work.
The visit began at Apperknowle Farm, where the college’s Wayfinder team showcased the hands-on experiences that help learners develop practical skills, confidence, and independence.
The farm provides a real-world environment where learners can take part in meaningful activities while building employability skills. Learners can also work towards qualifications in areas such as animal care and horticulture. As part of their training, learners grow and harvest their own crops, developing fundamental horticultural skills while gaining an understanding of the full farm-to-fork journey. The produce grown on site is used within the college’s Bistro and The Archer, reinforcing this sustainable approach.
The group then travelled to The Archer, Landmarks’ on-site hospitality venue. The Archer is a community public house run and operated by Landmarks and its learners, providing a unique training environment for those looking to develop the skills needed for careers in the bar and restaurant trade. During the visit, guests met the team and sampled a selection of dishes prepared by learners as part of their catering training. The visit also included a behind-the-scenes tour of the bar area, highlighting the breadth of vocational opportunities available. Learners at The Archer can work towards qualifications including cellar management, the APLH Personal Licence, and Functional Skills.
The tour concluded at Landmarks’ Nottingham campus in Carrington, where visitors arrived during an Open Day and saw the college in action as prospective learners and families explored the facilities.
Lisa Rathbone, Wayfinder Work Connect Manager, said:
“We were delighted to welcome Kat Harper and Robert Cooke to our sites and showcase the incredible work taking place across the college. During their visit, we also explored sustainable practices and how Greene King and its partners could support the college through our farm-to-fork provision. Through our supported internship partnership with Greene King, 36 young adults with learning disabilities have gained meaningful employment. Partnerships like this are vital in helping our learners build the skills, confidence, and experience they need to move into work and live more independently. Together, we are changing lives.”
The visit provided an opportunity to strengthen links between Landmarks Specialist College and Greene King, highlighting the importance of employer partnerships in creating pathways into employment for learners.
As of 2026, 36 learners from Landmarks Specialist college have been fully employed by Greene King as part of the Supported Internship programme.
Since partnering with Greene King, the Wayfinder team has rolled out the Supported Internship programme to over 50 specialist providers across the country.
Landmarks Specialist College supports young adults with learning difficulties and disabilities, offering tailored programmes designed to prepare learners for adult life, employment, and active participation in their communities.The visit also highlighted the value of collaboration between education providers and employers in supporting the next generation of talent and promoting inclusive opportunities within local communities.