Cobi hails 'excellent' Project SEARCH for helping him develop the skills to enter employment
Twenty-year-old Cobi Dickson came to Project SEARCH in 2024 eager to develop the skills that would help him enter the workplace, and has now leaves having secured a new job at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, while becoming a more confident and self-assured individual in the process.
Project SEARCH is a unique partnership between Edinburgh College, The City of Edinburgh Council, NHS Lothian and Virgin Hotels that provides students with a platform to learn relevant and transferrable skills while working in a business environment.
We caught up with Cobi to find out more about his experience on Project SEARCH and is plans for the future:
Where are you from?
I was born, bred, and raised in Edinburgh my whole life. I lived in Granton for the first year of my life, but we moved to Muirhouse afterwards. I live with my parents, my sister, my niece and my cat.
What were you doing before you took part in Project SEARCH?
I had done one year of Art & Design Level 3 and one year of Computing & Digital Media Level 4 in College. I managed to acquire some new art and computing skills while on these courses, but while they are not fully necessary to my experience at Project SEARCH, can still be useful in the future.
Can you tell me a bit about Project SEARCH?
Project SEARCH is an employability programme for young people with conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, etc. that helps them prepare for employability, by providing them with the opportunity to partake in internships within the NHS, City of Edinburgh Council, and Virgin Hotels.
Why did you want take part in Project SEARCH?
I was told about Project SEARCH by my job coach, and I realised that it would allow me to increase and improve my workplace skills and abilities, and prepare me for employment. I knew I needed these skills, as many of these skills can translate over properly into different jobs within different companies and businesses, such as communication and sanitation.
How was your Project SEARCH experience? Was there any particular highlights during your time on the project?
My experience on Project SEARCH was excellent. A particular highlight for me was the opportunity to help and meet new people, as meeting a wide variety of people allowed me to see new perspectives and ideas.
Have you had to overcome any challenges during your time on Project SEARCH and if so, how did you do this?
When I began, I was not too confident in the workplace, but working via Project SEARCH helped me to become more confident, as it showed me what I needed to do within different situations, and I had support, not only from my lecturers and job coaches, but from my co-workers, supervisor and manager as well.
What are you doing now that you’ve completed Project SEARCH? What are your plans for the future?
I have moved into a part-time job doing patient portering at the Royal Infirmary. I will continue on this path for the foreseeable future, and ensure that I keep my good work ethic consistent while working.
What would you say to someone who is thinking about doing Project SEARCH?
I would tell them about my own experience at Project SEARCH, and what I had to do. Project SEARCH was an opportunity for me to improve my skills and prove to myself that I could perform excellently in the workplace, and it will be the same for anyone who joins up in the future. I strongly encourage anyone reading to sign up for Project SEARCH, and to inform any friends and family about it.
