Volunteer finds new career path after life changing setbacks

After a serious car accident he found that the recovery process became complicated as other life issues hindered his ability to carry on working. Whilst being unemployed Alan used this time to complete a HND and other certificates in Computing at Telford College, however, being out of work for nine years meant that finding a job after this period of time was quite difficult and his confidence had been shaken. He was referred to Action for Employment (A4e) as part of the New Deal jobseekers programme.

Whilst at A4e Alan was assigned a placement with the Gorgie Dalry EverybodyOnline project and was accepted for a full time volunteer placement as administrative assistant.

It soon became obvious that Alan had skills and talent in more than just administrative tasks as he enthusiastically took up new challenges in training, website design, technical support and developing project partnerships. He has also represented EverybodyOnline at key meetings and training events and attended a conference on e-learning and web-networking; gaining valuable knowledge and networking skills. Alan recently passed his Microsoft Office Specialist, Word 2003 qualification, is fast-tracking the Excel unit and now intends to sit the ‘expert’ units so that he can become a qualified computer tutor with local training programmes such as the ‘Trained Up’ project.

Alan said of his experiences: “It has changed my life…from sitting at home doing nothing I am now capable of walking into a room full of people and not feel intimidated”.

EverybodyOnline project coordinator, Kirsten Cook said: “It‘s difficult for me to imagine Alan as he describes his life previously. He has been so enthusiastic and capable. He has been helpful to the project in too many ways to name.”

As Alan’s placement with EverybodyOnline comes to an end, he will carry on his computing studies to complete expert level Microsoft Office Specialist units and, has been offered the opportunity to co-deliver an eight week programme of intermediate computer training with EverybodyOnline and the Edinburgh Community Technology Academy.

Alan is now job searching in earnest and will also pursue further studies. He is considering taking up further volunteering tasks and positions in training as they become available in the area.