Richard Goes Back To Learning To Find A Job

A father-of-two left paralysed from the neck down in a motorcycle accident when he was 18 has returned to learning in a bid to find a job.

Richard Wilkes, 33, of Llandrinio, near Welshpool, has completed an ELWa funded work based learning programme for adults with Powys Training to update his computer skills.

The programme included basic employability training, key skills and the new Clait qualification for word processing, which he hopes will boost his job chances. He was referred to Powys Training’s Newtown centre by the disability employment advisor at Jobcentre Plus in Welshpool.

“I already had a background knowledge of computers and programmes but had no paper qualifications,” said Richard, who worked as a lift engineer before his motorcycle accident in Torbay, Devon 1990 left him a tetraplegic.

“I really enjoyed the training which included word processing, databases, spreadsheets, graphic presentation and desktop publishing. I also did the first module of the European Computer Driving Licence course and would like to go on to complete the qualification sometime in the future.

“My main ambition when I started with Powys Training was to find employment and I just hope the training, which has given me a much better understanding of the different programs, will help my job chances.

“Learning has definitely given me extra enthusiasm and interest. There is a lot more opportunity out there than people realise and I wish I had found out about it much sooner.”

He is currently discussing a possible job opportunity with an Internet company which find accommodation for people with special requirements.

Aprille Saunders, Powys Training’s operations manager, said: “Richard is an example to us all in not letting a disability stand in his way. He has proved that the system is there to help people with disabilities who wish to learn new skills to improve their employment prospects.”