A student with learning disabilities from East Devon has taken his first steps into the automotive industry through a supported internship with Vertu BMW Exeter.
Twenty-year-old Cameron Butcher has been spending two days a week at the dealership on Matford Park Road since November last year, working alongside a mentor within the parts department.
The placement, organised by the United Response supported employment team, is designed to help Butcher build the confidence and workplace skills needed to progress into employment.
Supported route into motor retail
A self-confessed car enthusiast with a passion for luxury German models, Butcher has embraced the opportunity to become part of the Vertu BMW Exeter team.
Working with colleagues in the parts department, he has taken on a range of responsibilities including ordering parts for workshop use, carrying out computer-based administrative tasks to build his IT skills and completing a full stocktake of the store.
United Response is a charity supporting people with learning disabilities, autism and additional mental health needs to achieve greater independence and reach their personal goals.
Butcher said: “I’m enjoying working with a team that has supported my development, and I like getting involved with the practical side of things because it means I’m not just sitting down.
“Working in the parts department is the most important job in the dealership because if the team is fixing a car and they don’t have the right parts then they can’t do the job. My role is crucial!”
Mentored role in parts department
Gareth Cornell, general manager at Vertu BMW Exeter, said: “Cameron has quickly integrated into the team during his time with us and does a lot within the parts department, including managing stock, admin and general housekeeping.
“He has a real eye for detail in everything that he does, and you can see how much pride he takes in his work every time he comes in. With the assistance of his mentor, he has been a massive help.”
Edward Thompson, employer engagement job coach at United Response, said: “Cameron’s internship is a fabulous demonstration of what can be achieved through a partnership working with a shared commitment and vision to support a young person.
“There is no doubt that this internship will have a long and beneficial impact on Cameron’s career, and the way he wears his uniform with pride is a sign of the self-belief he has gained. The support of Gareth and his team has brought him a step closer to realising his dream of working in the automotive trade.”
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