Corporate training provider ProTechTM has completed an innovation partnership with Queen’s University Belfast through the Invest NI Innovation Voucher programme, resulting in the development of an evidence based soft skills learning framework designed to better support diverse learning and communication styles within the tech sector.
ProTech believe neuroinclusion shouldn't be an afterthought. Built exclusively for the tech sector, every workshop is designed from the ground up by experienced tech professionals and behavioural psychologists, with real-world tech examples embedded throughout, ensuring every person in the room sees their world reflected in the learning. This matters more in tech than other sectors, with over half of tech employees self-identifying as neurodivergent, the majority have spent their careers learning through methods that were never designed for how their minds work. ProTech exists to change that. Not retrofitted or generalised, but built for tech, inclusive by design, and validated by a research collaboration with Queen's University Belfast.
The project, titled 'Inclusive Innovation: Creating Soft Skills Learning Frameworks for Neurodiverse Tech Teams', explored how behavioural science, neurodiversity research, inclusive instructional design, and workplace psychology could be translated into practical workplace learning models for modern technology organisations.
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The collaboration has now culminated in the creation of ProTech’s new proprietary learning approach: the NeuroSyncTM Methodology, a research-informed workshop model designed to support all learners through neuroinclusive design principles tailored to real world high-pressure tech environments.
The NeuroSync methodology is built on Timothy Clark's internationally recognised Four Stages of Psychological Safety framework (2020), which establishes that psychological safety must develop sequentially:
Every ProTech workshop is designed through the NeuroSync methodology: an ‘inclusive-by-design’ approach ensuring every topic is accessible, relevant and psychologically safe for every mind in the room. The NeuroSync methodology is the foundation from which all ProTech workshop content and facilitation is built, a principle validated and strengthened by the findings of the ProTech x Queen's University Belfast research collaboration.The project examined:
Research findings identified significant gaps in traditional corporate soft skills training, particularly around communication styles, cognitive load, sensory considerations, pacing, interaction design, and learner engagement.
Rather than designing separate training experiences for different groups of employees, the project focused on creating learning environments that are accessible, engaging, and effective for a broader range of thinkers from the outset.
In response, ProTech and Queen’s co-developed a practical and scalable workshop framework tailored specifically to the realities of the tech sector, incorporating:
Katie Willoughby, Founder of ProTech, experienced Data Analytics leader, and winner of her local council heat of 2025 GoSucceed Ultimate Pitch Competition with ProTech, said:
“ProTech emerged through repeatedly seeing the same challenges throughout my career in tech. Highly capable technical professionals were often being promoted into leadership and collaborative roles without training environments that genuinely supported different ways of learning, processing information, communicating, and contributing.
“Traditional soft skills training often assumes one style of thinking and engagement. What this research enabled us to do was rethink workplace learning from the ground up, creating frameworks that are inclusive by design while still delivering high-impact outcomes for all learners.”
Willoughby added:
“One of the biggest outcomes from the research was recognising the importance of psychological safety as the foundation for effective learning and team performance. That’s what led to the development of the NeuroSync Methodology.
“We want organisations to create environments where people feel safe to contribute, learn, challenge ideas, and perform at their best, regardless of how they think or process information.”
The project also explored the growing conversation around retention, burnout, inclusive leadership, and workplace wellbeing within the technology sector, where pressures associated with remote collaboration, global delivery teams, and high-value projects can create unique workplace challenges.
Research increasingly suggests neurodivergent professionals are strongly represented within technology-related careers (Tech Talent Charter, 2024; BIMA Tech Inclusion & Diversity Report, 2019), while many organisations are simultaneously recognising the business value of diverse thinking styles, innovation, and psychologically safe workplace cultures.
Dr Nichola Booth, Director of the MSc Autism in Practice at Queen’s University Belfast, said:
“This project demonstrates the value of combining academic research with commercial innovation to address real workplace challenges. Importantly, inclusive learning design benefits everyone, not just neurodivergent learners.
“The work completed through this collaboration has the potential to influence how organisations approach professional development, engagement, and workplace learning across the wider tech sector.”
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The completed framework is now forming the foundation of ProTech’s future workshop portfolio, with plans to scale delivery across technology organisations and develop accredited learning pathways focused on neuroinclusive leadership and professional development.
The company also intends to introduce a recognisable employer standard linked to neuroinclusive training practices, enabling organisations to demonstrate commitment to inclusive learning and psychologically safe workplace cultures.
Willoughby said:
“Northern Ireland has an incredible opportunity to lead in this space. Through collaboration between academia and industry, we’ve developed something that not only supports people better, but also has real commercial potential as an exportable innovation from Northern Ireland’s growing tech ecosystem.”
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