disabled student has found his dream job at a top restaurant.
Josh Osborn, 30, now works as a prep chef at the ivy Montpellier Brasserie in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
Mr Osborn, who has autism and mental health issues, struggled to find work and enrolled in a program offered by National Star College, near Cheltenham.
He was assigned a personal job coach who worked with him to develop his interviewing techniques and boost his resume with extensive work experience placements in the hospitality industry, enabling him to gain relevant qualifications.
“Josh, my job coach, has made me feel much more at ease and he has helped me in many ways, from attending interviews with me to taking me to my first shift at The Ivy at 7am,” said Mr. Osborn , who lives in assisted living accommodation in Gloucester.
“He even helped me learn how to budget so that I have money to pay my bills.”
To help him cope with the busy kitchen environment, his job coach, Mr. Osborn, helped break the work down into specific tasks and create lists.
“When I get anxious, I start to forget it, so breaking things into tasks and putting lists on my phone has helped,” he said.
“I don’t think I could handle the pressure without the support of my job coach.
“I love this job and don’t want to mess it up.”
Matthew Aldred, executive chef at The Ivy Montpellier Brasserie, said: “Josh is an integral part of our team and kitchen brigade, and I’m excited to see him grow and develop in his role.”
College Principal Simon Welch added: “The Ivy has shown that even in a busy commercial kitchen, with just minor adjustments, they can attract a more diverse workforce.
“This is a wonderful success story for Josh, who has grown in skills and confidence to get paid work, and for The Ivy, who has demonstrated an open door policy and has been rewarded with a dedicated and hard-working young man.”