Skill Share Success: Denis Delivers a third Insightful IT Session

If you’d like to learn more about our Skill Share sessions, please contact: jen.sweeney@pocklington.org.uk

As part of our ongoing Skill Share programme, Thomas Pocklington Trust recently has hosted a series of interactive and informative sessions led by Denis Rama from Ramsac, TPT’s IT support provider. Following the success of his previous workshops, Denis returned on 20 March to deliver the same valuable content to a new group of participants, once again focusing on IT skills, accessibility, and the importance of soft skills in the tech world. 

Opening the Door to IT Careers 

Across both sessions, Denis generously volunteered his time to encourage attendees to consider the wide range of opportunities within the IT sector. By sharing his own career path, from beginning in first-line support to becoming a technical consultant, he offered a realistic picture of how people can grow and progress in tech-related roles. 

His message was clear: thriving in IT isn’t only about technical ability; it’s about staying curious, being adaptable, and having the confidence to keep learning. 

The Power of Soft Skills 

A key theme running through both sessions was the critical role of interpersonal skills. Denis highlighted how communication, patience, and empathy are essential in support roles where helping users is central to the job. These skills build trust and ensure that technology works for everyone. 

Accessibility at the Heart of Technology 

Accessibility was another major focus. Denis demonstrated how tools such as NVDA (screen reader) and Magnifier can transform the computing experience for blind and partially sighted people. By walking participants through real examples, he showed how these features enable greater independence and efficiency in everyday tasks. 

Practical Tips: Shortcuts, Navigation and AI 

In each session, Denis provided live demonstrations and introduced AI tools such as ChatGPT, showing how they can support IT and everyday tasks, whether summarising emails, interpreting code, or simplifying complex topics. His advice throughout – experiment, explore, and find what works best for you. 

Key Takeaways

Participants across both sessions left feeling more confident and better equipped to navigate IT with independence. Denis emphasised how curiosity and clear communication form the foundation of effective work in tech roles, alongside the essential contribution of accessibility tools such as NVDA and Magnifier, which broaden participation for blind and partially sighted users. Attendees also discovered how much time can be saved by using simple keyboard shortcuts and explored how AI tools like ChatGPT can simplify tasks, boost productivity, and support learning in everyday IT scenarios. 

What’s Next for Participants

Following the sessions, attendees are encouraged to put their new skills into practice by exploring keyboard shortcuts to build speed, experimenting with accessibility features like NVDA and Magnifier, and trying out AI tools for writing, troubleshooting, and understanding complex topics. These next steps will help reinforce what they’ve learned and support ongoing growth in their digital confidence. 

Denis Rama, Technical Consultant at Ramsac said:  “I came in hoping to spark something, a small moment of curiosity or confidence. If someone walks away thinking, ‘Maybe I could try this too,’ then I’ve done what I came here to do. So much of IT is learning as you go. If hearing my experience helps make this path feel more open or less intimidating, then I’m really pleased I was able to contribute.”

Charlie Rashbrook, Internship Coordinator at TPT, said: “Denis delivered a personable session with some great insights into the IT industry, as well as some valuable learning for all attendees. Our interns were particularly well engaged with the piece around AI.”  A big thank you to Denis Rama and the Ramsac team for leading another inspiring and empowering Skill Share sessions!