Lio's Story
Lio joined First Step Trust after a few difficult years affected his confidence, and within months had turned a natural aptitude for automotive work into a full-time job at Halfords Autocentres.
2023: Case Study
Lio joined First Step Trust (FST) in February 2022, referred to us by his support worker. He had come through a difficult couple of years, following a traumatic personal event just before the pandemic, which had affected both his self-confidence and his final years of education.
Lio had always had a strong interest in becoming a mechanic, having gained some early experience at a friend’s uncle’s garage, and had also spent time on FST’s Virtual Reality garage, where he practised removing and replacing a tyre and rebalancing a wheel ready to go back onto a vehicle.
Within a few weeks of joining FST’s SMaRT Garage in Woolwich, Lio had overcome his initial difficulties and was thriving. He proved to be an enthusiastic learner, despite a significant lack of confidence in his literacy and numeracy.
Garage Manager Darren McEvilly says: “When Lio came to us it was clear he had a fantastic attitude to work, and a clear aptitude for automotive tasks. I knew that given the right opportunities he would shine.”
Lio was enrolled in FST’s 10 Module Training programme, designed to equip disadvantaged learners with the skills, confidence and competencies needed across a range of workshop tasks, giving them a fair chance to gain employment. The programme is flexible and person-centred, making it suitable for learners with a range of needs, including dyslexia. Lio thrived in this environment, and within a few weeks was already thinking seriously about his future.
FST’s strong relationship with Halfords Autocentres, who provide access to their in-house training materials underpinning the 10 Module programme meant that, by the end of May, Lio felt confident enough to take up a work placement, initially attending one day a week. He soon increased this to three days a week.
Halfords Autocentre Manager Dean Robinson and Lio’s mentor, David Stroud, were both impressed by his skills and growing depth of knowledge across the workshop.
“Lio has been a pleasure to work with and has quickly become a valued member of our team,” says Dean. “Working with Lio clearly demonstrates that people can overcome disadvantage and thrive when given a fair opportunity to do so. Lio works really hard and isn’t afraid to stop and ask how to do something. He’s exactly the type of learner we need, and has every opportunity to become a great vehicle technician.”
On 13th June 2022, Lio was offered a full-time position at Halfords.
“When I started at First Step Trust I never dreamed that it would lead to something like this,” says Lio, “I really can’t find the words to say how grateful I am to everyone at First Step Trust and Halfords Autocentres for giving me the chance to fulfil my dreams. I am so happy.”
2026: Update
Since
[On behalf of First Step Trust, congratulations to Lio on…]