Students on work placements at project search

NQ DFN Project SEARCH (NHS) - Based at Glasgow Royal Infirmary

Location: Employer's Premises
SCQF Level: 3
Start Date: 25 Aug 2025
Qualification Type: NQ
Course Type: Full-Time
Duration: 1 Year (August to June)

Applications open 15th January 2025

Glasgow Clyde College works in partnership with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Glasgow Supported Employment team to deliver this programme which is specifically designed for young adults who live in Glasgow, aged 18-29 who have learning disabilities and/or autism and want help to find full-time employment. By completing this course, you can gain new qualifications, fine-tune your CV and strengthen your interview skills. You will also receive support to apply for and attend job interviews

DFN Project SEARCH NHS is a one-year college course that runs from August to June, five days a week, Monday to Friday.

What will I learn?

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is a large employer and has a wide range of jobs across its organisation. This means it can offer a variety of work placements to suit individuals. Placements may also be within a local business.  

Work placements may include catering, domestic assistants, porters, stores, health care support workers and administration.  

You will also develop essential skills that will help you gain employment such as CV writing, interview techniques and working with others.

You will be supported throughout the course by a college lecturer, a job coach and hospital staff. To ensure your learning is tailored to suit your own needs and goals, you will develop a Personal Learning and Support Plan.

You can apply for financial help in the form of a bursary.

How to apply

To apply for this course, please complete the application form and email it to projectsearchNHS@glasgowclyde.ac.uk

Please ensure that the form is saved as you complete it, to avoid losing any work, and that it is given a new file name.

Entry requirements (minimum)

You will be able to get on well with others aged between 18 to 29 years old
You are willing to share personal information with Project Search partners
You can provide evidence of your ability to work at SCQF Level 3 (Access 3) in all subject areas
You can demonstrate your ability to work independently and with others
You can provide evidence of excellent timekeeping and attendance
You can attend five days a week, Monday to Friday, 9am - 4pm, and be on time every morning
Satisfactory reference
Due to funding restrictions, applicants must live in the City of Glasgow.

Entry requirement equivalency table

If you do not meet the entry criteria for your chosen course, you may be offered an alternative course in the same subject area.

Employer and industry links

During the last 6 years of Project Search, students have gained employment with the NHS and a range of other employers e.g. Strathclyde University, Glasgow Clyde College, Glasgow City Council, City of Glasgow College, Glasgow Science Centre and many others.

Jobs and further study

Employment in a relevant sector.

Making an application

For courses starting in August, you can make up to two applications.

Applications are made to a course and a first choice of campus. If the course is oversubscribed at your first choice you will be automatically considered for alternative sites and may be made an offer without a further application.

I've applied — what happens next?

When you apply

You will receive an automated email confirming that we have received your application (remember to check your SPAM folder).

Your application will be reviewed by the admissions team and you will either be:

Invited to book an information/selection session. This session may include a core skills profile and group activity. Prior to the selection event, you will be asked to provide proof of qualifications and a completed Individual Support Form.  Selection events will take place between March and June.

Advised that your application is unsuccessful – you have not met the entry requirements for this course and are advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.
We aim not to reject an application and if you don’t meet the entry requirements you may be referred to a different course or level.

If you are invited to interview, you will be informed of the outcome of your interview by email within 14 working days. The outcome will be one of the following:

Unconditional offer of a place – you have met all the entry requirements and your place is guaranteed. You will be required to accept this offer to secure your place.
Conditional offer of a place – your place is secured pending you meeting the entry requirements. This may mean achieving school or college qualifications which you may not be able to provide to us yet. You will be required to accept this offer to secure your conditional place. Once your conditions are met this will change to an unconditional offer of a place which you must accept before you can enrol on the course.
Waiting list – you have met all entry requirements, and have been interviewed however, the course is now full so you have been placed on a waiting list. If any spaces become available you may be contacted, usually around the course start date. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
Reserve list – following your interview, you have unfortunately not been successful in this round of recruitment. We have placed your name on a reserve list and your application may be reconsidered at a later date. This could happen any time up to the start date of the course but it is very possible that you will not be offered a place. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
Unsuccessful – your interview has been unsuccessful. You may be offered a place on a course at a different level, or advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.

Once an offer is received, you must reply within 14 working days or risk losing your place, as the system will automatically decline your offer after 14 days.

Once you have accepted your offer, you will be sent out instructions about student funding, joining instructions and induction date. This will normally be sent out in June / July.