An autistic Derby 19-year-old has been flourishing in the workplace through a powerful partnership between Derby City Council’s skills and support hub Transition2 and L.E.A.D. IT Services.
Shae Ormond was excluded from school for a year but has now been given a chance to shine with a weekly work placement at leading technical organisation L.E.A.D. IT Services.
L.E.A.D. IT Services, a social enterprise providing technical support to more than 250 schools, academy trusts and businesses across the UK, has partnered with Transition2, which is based at Friar Gate Studios Skills Centre.
Transition2 works with 18-25-year-olds with special educational needs to prepare them for adulthood through tailored vocational programmes and support to develop skills for life and work.
The partnership sees Shae travelling to the Pride Park based company each week where he has been getting stuck into the world of working in an IT company under the guidance of technician Jamie Quinn.
The project has been so successful that Shae has now continued to come to L.E.A.D. IT Services voluntarily on his day off after his placement ended, and no longer needs the support of his key worker Debbie Jones in his weekly sessions at the company, travelling there independently on two buses.
Shae said he had gone from being a sad teenager who was out of school to someone who looked forward to going to work.
He said: “I was sad when I was out of school and thought – ‘what else am I going to do?’ Now I’ve got my purpose back.
“Honestly, I thought I was going to last for one day! But when Debbie told me that Jamie wanted me to come back because I’d made a good impression, I thought –‘this is a real opportunity’.
“L.E.A.D. IT Services is so supportive. Jamie is so caring, he really helps me out in building up my skills.
“They’re a good company – fantastic people.”
Jamie said the whole team at L.E.A.D. IT Services enjoyed having Shae in the office each week, where he has been growing in confidence and getting involved with administrative tasks vital to keep a workplace running smoothly.
He said: “I’ve loved being Shae’s mentor. I’ve loved seeing his development and growth, and how he has created a rapport with everyone in the office. It’s been good to see him expand in confidence, it’s getting to that point where he just cracks on with it.
“I think Transition2 is such as positive organisation in trying to give people that platform to really showcase what they can do – and it’s a great opportunity for me in my career to experience being a mentor, too.”
Debbie Jones, from Transition2, said it had been wonderful to see Shae’s confidence and skills get such a positive boost.
“The transition he has been on is huge,” he said. “He has grown into someone who can go into a workplace and be effective. He is offering something to L.E.A.D. IT Services that they want him to continue.”
L.E.A.D. IT Services has been working closely with Transition2 for more than ten years, providing a wide range of technical support including helping the organisation move into its new base in Friargate Studios and creating a new website.
Lee Jepson, managing director of L.E.A.D. IT Services, said: “We’re passionate about giving people opportunities at L.E.A.D. IT Services and our partnership with Transition2 is important to every member of the team here. It’s been wonderful to see how much Shae has grown in confidence and ability since coming to us every week. We all look forward to his visits and it’s great to see him cracking jokes with everybody and gelling with the team.”
Cllr Paul Hezelgrave, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Skills, saif: “Shae’s success at L.E.A.D. IT Services is a fantastic example of what Transition2 is all about. We believe that encouraging ambition and inclusivity is key to supporting Derby’s young people.
“We understand that independent travel and employment are vital to a young person’s confidence and wellbeing. By combining education, training, and hands-on work experience, we are empowering our students to navigate their own paths into the workforce and begin the next exciting chapter of their lives.”
This story was written and shared on behalf of L.E.A.D. IT Services by Lucy Stephens. Can we share your news and get you in the headlines too? Find out how we can help by getting in touch.
