Callum Buchanan
Supported Programmes
DFN Project SEARCH
“Project SEARCH was a great way for me to gain more experience and skills on my journey to employment”.
Callum Buchanan applied to Project SEARCH and was offered a place on the programme in July 2024.
After completing a course at NESCol, Callum joined the Project SEARCH programme with the aim of exploring potential job opportunities and mapping out his journey to full-time employment.
During the programme, he connected with Sodexo where he completed 30 weeks of work experience with their Facilities Teams at Shell, Silver Fin, and the Hotel Services Team at Woodbank Hotel.
Callum thrived with the guidance from Mentors and became a valuable member of the Sodexo Team. He developed and sustained a positive attitude and sense of self-worth within the role, emphasising that, “it was a great way for me to gain more experience and skills”.
He also discovered a passion for health and fitness during his time with the Woodbank Leisure Team and is continuing to follow a daily fitness routine and healthy lifestyle.
During the final stage of the programme, Callum engaged in an intensive job search, compiling applications and attending interviews. His hard work paid off and he has now been appointed as a part-time Restaurant Adviser with Dobbies as well as a Leisure Attendant with Sport Aberdeen on an ad hoc basis.
Callum said, “Project SEARCH was a great way for me to gain more experience and skills on my journey to employment”.
Join Project SEARCH
DFN Project SEARCH is an employability programme for young people aged 16-24 with learning disabilities or autism.