A 21-YEAR-OLD autistic man who was the first person in South Gloucestershire to sign up for a scheme which helps transport unemployed and newly employed workers to interviews and workplaces has completed the programme after starting a new job in Yate.

A year on from joining the Wheels to Work scheme and starting his job as a trainee at wood importer and distributor Lathams Ltd, in Badminton Road Trading Estate, Brandon Rowat from Alveston is the first person in the area to fully repay his loan and take ownership of his scooter, loaned through the scheme.

Mr Rowat has Asperger Syndrome, a form of autism, and before joining the scheme, he had been unemployed since leaving school and was struggling to find work as his condition means it is difficult for him to communicate with new people.

His father requested assistance from the Employment Support Service at South Gloucestershire Council who helped him apply for his new job and his local JobCentre then introduced him to the Wheels to Work scheme, a project which has been developed under the Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF).

Mr Rowat has now been working for 12 months and has his own independence through the scooter.

Mr Rowat said: “I have found the scooter scheme useful and easy. I have been able to work late and take on different shifts at work which I could not do if I was relying on someone else for transport.”

Since he secured his job, his father has also found employment himself and the whole family has benefited.

Andy Duffin, Brandon’s manager at Lathams Ltd, said: “We are really pleased to have Brandon working with us. He is a good addition to the team and is popular.

“It’s great that this scheme has enabled him to get help with transport to work, and enjoy the freedom that having his own scooter provides.”

The scooter was financed through an interest free loan through the Wheels to Work West scheme and he also received free insurance, road tax, training and protective clothing.

For more information about the scheme visit www.travelwest.info/wheelstoworkwest.