Each year, we welcome hundreds of trainees to our workshop, providing opportunities to learn new skills, develop social connections, boost employability and make a meaningful impact across the globe.
As a registered Disability Confident Employer, we’re committed to creating an inclusive and accessible learning environment for all. That’s why we introduced our Buddy System, designed to support all trainees, including those with additional needs which may include physical and neurological impairments or anyone who may face barriers to training with us. To ensure every trainee has access to the support they need to feel confident in their new role, we take the time to understand their individual needs, and, with help from some of our more experienced trainees, offer 1:1 training and support to help them settle into our workshop.
Student A had tried four different training placements prior to beginning at The Turing Trust. Right from the initial meeting with the training co-ordinator, the student was immediately put at ease. His confidence has grown and every week he has attended he feels like he is progressing.
Since launching our Buddy System, we’ve received some incredible feedback. Bridget Campbell, Employment Advisor at Into Work, a charity that helps disabled and neurodivergent people and those with long-term health conditions find, build and maintain work, adds: “The Turing Trust has offered many fantastic training opportunities to our clients over the years, helping them build skills and confidence in a busy work environment, which has been so beneficial on their journey towards employment.
“Over recent months, the staff at Turing Trust have worked closely with us to provide tailored support enabling a particular trainee with specific needs relating to his disability to thrive. The willingness of the staff to take the time to work with us to assess this individual’s needs, identify challenges and implement solutions has had such a positive impact for my client; he has developed new skills, made valuable connections with peers, grown in confidence and gained great satisfaction in his role.
As IT is such a difficult industry to get experience in and of such high demand, it has opened many doors for our clients and given them the opportunities to develop and utilise these skills enhancing their personal development, confidence, and realm of opportunities.
Another trainee, Kyle, was first introduced to our Buddy System through Midlothian Council Communities Lifelong Learning and Employability after expressing an interest in computing, and his journey with us demonstrates just how transformative the programme can be.
When he began volunteering with us, Kyle was very anxious about working with people, however, with support from a dedicated senior trainee, he has really come into his own. Now, with a newfound confidence and valuable skills and experience under his belt, he has secured a place to study computing at college.
His support worker from Midlothian Council adds:“Thank you for all your help with Kyle. When I first met him he wanted a night shift position so he did not have to speak to anyone. He has progressed massively while attending the Turing Trust.”
And the benefits are twofold, with the programme also providing our more experienced trainees with an opportunity to gain valuable new skills and experience to support their long-term employability, demonstrating leadership, mentoring and communication skills – all of which are highly valued in the professional world.
Thank you to all of our staff and trainees who have made this programme so successful. We’re looking forward to welcoming more trainees to our workshop this year!
