Housing and care provider Blackwood has announced the appointment of its first ever digital skills trainer.

Shawn More, 26, from Edinburgh, will graduate this month with an MSc in Human Resource Management from Edinburgh Napier University, and landed the unique position after spending just three weeks on a placement with Blackwood.

The newly developed role will see Shawn responsible for the creation and delivery of training programmes to instruct employees and customers on using Blackwood’s new smart technology enabled care system.

He will work as part of the ambitious charity’s recently unveiled tech and innovation division, which aims to identify, support and develop the latest design and technology to help those with disabilities live their lives to the full.

Blackwood’s new smart technology enabled care system will explore how technology can be integrated with professional care services to enhance independent living. It will ensure services users are constantly connected with friends, relatives and carers. Likewise, connected touch screen devices could influence everything from the ability to open curtains, switch on TVs, provide medication reminders or order shopping.

Blackwood is believed to be the first housing and care provider to introduce the Digital Skills Trainer position and Shawn is eager to play a vital role in helping to achieve its revised business objectives while continuing its push to be industry innovators.

He said: “I’m thrilled to step up and take on this exciting new role. After one year at University studying Human Resource Management, I feel I have a sound knowledge of how to develop Blackwood’s exciting objectives and train staff and customers for the future.

“I have been given a fantastic opportunity working with Blackwood as we are an engaging, innovative organisation that invests in changing the care and housing sector for the future.

“It’s definitely an inspiring time to be a part of the organisation as it gears up to revolutionise the housing and care sector with its impressive reputation of service quality and new technological innovations.”

Fanchea Kelly, chief executive at Blackwood, said: “We are delighted to bring the new role of Digital Skills Trainer to Blackwood as it will enable us to continue to grow as industry innovators.

“Shawn will be an important part of the Blackwood team and will contribute significantly as we continue to develop the organisation and build our reputation of delivering high quality services and supporting our customers to live full and independent lives.

“The pace of change in technology is unprecedented and the potential for improving and enhancing the lives of the people we work with is incredible. We are determined not only to keep up with that, but to be at the very forefront of this area, and Shawn will play a huge part in helping us achieve our goal.”

@Blackwood_HC