FINDING a job in these tough economic times is difficult enough for anyone.

But for 44-year-old David McKay it has been particularly tough as he is visually impaired.

Yet the Worcester man has enjoyed a new lease of life having secured full-time work with a company helping those facing the same challenges as himself.

Blackpole Trading Estate firm Dolphin Computer Access liked what they saw during Mr McKay’s apprenticeship with them and decided to take him on permanently.

“Having worked and volunteered during my adult life, I found it soul-destroying being unemployed,” said Mr McKay.

“My biggest challenge was in being confident. I could stay in the house for days on end.

“You need to mix, and I’d found that the routine of work, and, by extension, interaction with friends, had always helped with that in the past.”

His struggle ended when he joined the product support department at Dolphin, which creates software to allow people with visual impairments and learning difficulties to gain access to computers at home, work and school.

Before joining, Mr McKay had enrolled on a work ready programme at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford.

He also completed an NVQ advanced apprenticeship in customer services through Worcester College of Technology and, while there, won the Advanced Apprenticeship of the Year award.

Hazel Shaw, Dolphin’s marketing director, said Mr McKay was a valued member of staff.

“He’s a cracking person,” she said.

“David is reliable, hard-working and motivated and is of massive value to the business.

“We all need a David McKay in the office.”

Dolphin employs about 60 people, 16 of whom are visually impaired.