Autistic Birmingham New Street worker inspires others to go for dream job

Dan Noon has been working throughout the coronavirus pandemic helping passengers to complete essential journeys safely at Britain's busiest interchange station outside of London

The 27-year-old, who is autistic and has Asperger's syndrome, originally came to Birmingham New Street station on a work experience placement coordinated by supported employment and training charity Landau in 2014.

He impressed the station team so much that he was offered mentoring and support which guided him to successfully land a permanent role in October 2017.

Walsall College, where Dan studied, have since established a partnership with Birmingham New Street station to offer apprenticeships and work experience roles in future.

Dan said: “Working at Birmingham New Street is my dream job. Before I started working here, I even had a tour of the old station being redeveloped!

“My job is about public transport – buses, trams, trains – which is one of my hobbies and interests. But it’s also about when things go wrong, and about helping passengers to get from A to B in different situations, including during the coronavirus pandemic.

“The advice I would give to an autistic person looking for a job would be to bring what you’re interested in and enthusiastic about to your role. You’ve got to think ‘I can do it’ – if you think that you can’t, you’re not going to get anywhere.”

Dan returns to his old college to give motivational talks, and during the pandemic these have taken place virtually on Zoom.

Katie Fieldhouse, employability team leader at Walsall College, said: “We’re so proud of Dan, and the determination and drive he has shown to be so successful in his new role.

“Dan’s story shows that autism is not a limitation on somebody achieving their ambitions. We want to help all of our students to reach their own goals, and the team at New Street have been so supportive with this over the last few years.”