At Autism Plus, we believe in creating real opportunities for people to gain experience, develop practical skills and grow in confidence. Our Chocolate Skills Academy at our social enterprise Park House Barns offers hands on training in artisan chocolate making, designed specifically for adults with autism and learning disabilities.

Jack was one of the first trainees to complete the full placement. In this blog, he shares what he learned, what he found challenging, and how the experience has shaped his journey so far.

What did you like most about the Chocolate Skills Academy?

I liked seeing how different chocolates were made and what the process was for making each one. Also, doing a bit of packing too (getting orders ready to be sent out to customers who buy chocolate from Autism Plus).

What are some of the skills you have developed through your training?

I have developed:

• Time Skills - completing a certain task in a certain amount of time so that I could start on the next task that needed to be done. 
• Working in a team and on my own - some tasks need to be done in a team (e.g. making the tram lollies is a two-person job, but dipping marshmallows I could do on my own without help).
• Problem solving - if I was on my own, I would think of a way hwo to solve a problem before I spoke to someone else (e.g. dusting the tram lollies and asking if unsure on what to use). 

Were there any challenges you found on the placement?

• Having to do a couple of tasks at a time and thinking about which one needed to be done first (and if not possible, if the two could be done at the same time). 
• Running out of a product that the packing team needed straight away for an order, and letting them know when it would be ready.
• Using the enrober for doing chocolates by machine (it saves time and can get more done than by hand). I had to learn how to operate the machine (quite tricky if you are doing it on your own). 

Did you feel the team at Park House Barns provided the right level of support to help you learn?

I feel I got the right level of support and was always checked on while I was doing certain tasks (and keeping me on the right track if I was not doing something right). 

Have you used any of the skills you learned since you finished the placement?

I have used all of the skills that I learned when I have been doing some volunteering one day a week at the chocolate studio. I am still learning and getting some additional guidance when I am doing tasks, to make sure everything get's done smoothly. 

Also, I have used the skills that employment support helped me gain during my time at the academy. I am now feeling more confident on how to look for jobs and am meeting weekly with another person who is helping me to do this.

What would you like to achieve now you have completed the academy?

I would like to help in giving someone else a bit of training/showing them how something is done, if they come to learn at the chocolate studio. I could do this on my own or as part of the team. 

Is there anything else you would like to say about your time at the Chocolate Skills Academy?

I want to say that I enjoyed it very much and everyone who wants to learn more about how chocolate is made should go through the process that I did (especially if they are wanting to become a chocolatier or working with chocolate). 

If Jack's experience has inspired you to apply for a placement at our Chocolate Skills Academy, click on the link below for more information: 

Chocolate Studio Placements – Park House Barns