A PIONEERING scheme that helps students with disabilities find careers has been nominated for a prestigious award.

The Careers and Employability Service, based at Huddersfield University, is in line for a National Career Award in the post-19 learning category.

The service helps anyone seeking information, advice and guidance to develop their future working lives.

The competitive awards category covers all UK universities and guidance agencies in the education sector.

But the university’s careers advisers hope to have the edge because of the extra support they provide to students with disabilities.

Staff help develop a student’s ideas, individual plan of action and will often advocate on their behalf with employers. As a result many have found work experience and jobs in their chosen fields.

Recent examples include a science graduate whose Asperger’s Syndrome meant that he had weaker communication skills and little conception of what a working environment would be like. An employer offering work experience was found and a careers adviser accompanied him to the initial meetings.

Stephen Boyd, the university’s head of careers and employability, said: “We’re really pleased to have been shortlisted.

“These are very prestigious awards within the careers sector and exist to recognise work that is at the very cutting edge of the profession.”

Winners of the awards, which are organised by the Institute of Career Guidance, will be announced at an event in Leeds on February 17.