Cyber Security course for Neurodivergant students proves successful

The course was created alongside Skills Development Scotland (SDS) and Scottish Government for individuals with neurodiverse conditions and is part of a project to provide learning pathways that support more neurodivergent people into cyber security roles.

A presentation to mark the students’ hard work and achievements was held on Thursday 17 December, where family members and college partners attended via Microsoft Teams.

The course focuses on the fundamentals of cyber security, looking at basic legislation and some hands-on practical work; learning how to identify some security issues and skills to protect against this.

The students also had visits from various guest speakers from industry during their time on the course. Most recently Basil Manoussos, Manager of the Cyber Academy at Edinburgh Napier University spoke about the possible pathways within Cyber Security.

Jackie Galbraith, Principal of West Lothian College said: “I am delighted that our neurodiverse cyber security students have all successfully completed this new course. It’s a great achievement.

“Cyber Security is a massive growth area which is why we created two specialist cyber labs at the college. I am delighted that our students enjoyed the course and gained such valuable skills for their future.

“I look forward to seeing many of the students back on full time courses next year to develop their skills further.”

Students have worked together and were very determined and enthusiastic about their learning, ongoing feed back to their lecturer led to a student led delivery of the course.

One of the students on the course, Dylan-Michael Martin, said: “It was a difficult course but through perseverance and a great lecturer I got through despite my difficulties and I found something I really enjoyed in the process.”

Many of the students will now move on to further study within West Lothian College.