11 September 2019

Cooma's Matt Pinner builds IT career with the support of the community

| Ian Campbell
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Matt Pinner, Photo: Supplied.

Matt Pinner, Photo: Supplied.

“I worked hard to get to where I am and I’m proud of what I’ve achieved,” says Cooma man Matt Pinner.

Matt is putting his skills and experience to work building a website for local aged care and disability service provider – Cooma Challenge.

Determined not to let his mild autism stop him from following his passion of working with computers, Matt enrolled at TAFE NSW Cooma in a Certificate III in Information Digital Media Technology. After graduating, he then went on to study the Certificate IV in Business.

Having graduated he can take advantage of the jobs growth in the IT sector, combining his love and natural ability for computers with helping an organisation that supports the Snowy Monaro community.

TAFE NSW Digital Media Teacher and Disability Support Worker Paul McIver says the outstanding thing about Matt was, he was constantly helping other class members all while doing his own study.

“He’s a giving and talented soul. He’s also one of those naturally talented people who can find solutions to IT issues and that’s a skill employers look for,” Paul says.

Christine Williams was working at Cooma Challenge when Matt started. She says Matt was considered a bit of a success story.

“Matt came to the Cooma Challenge Transition to Work program after finishing high school. His autism meant he had some communication issues and he wasn’t very confident,” she remembers.

“He enrolled in Certificate III Information, Digital Media and Technology at TAFE NSW Cooma, and with the assistance of Cooma Challenge support staff and his teachers he gained skills and confidence.

“He was offered casual work to set up computer programs for Cooma Challenge and has excelled. He is a great team member and he has gained the confidence needed to assist other team members.

“Matt is the go-to guy when there is any issues in IT,” she says.

A few years ago though Matt says he couldn’t have imagined where he would be in life now.

“The Certificate IV in Business opened my eyes to how involved running a business can be. In the future I would like to start my own business helping people with their IT issues,” he says.

Go Matt!

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