Member Article

North East Autism Society launch new employment service

They’re the region’s best kept secret.

But thanks to a pioneering new employment scheme, adults with autism could soon be using their skills and talents to enrich businesses across the North-east.

Hosted by Sir Peter Vardy, the North East Autism Society’s ‘Employment Futures’ scheme will launch on Friday, September 16 at The Sage, Gateshead, to an audience of business leaders, employers, employability experts, entrepreneurs and key leaders and figures from across the North-east.

Featuring a performance from Aukestra and keynote speakers including Dame Stephanie Shirley, the launch event aims to spark interest among employers, businesses and the region’s leaders alike.

John Phillipson, CEO of NEAS, said: “Let me present to you an issue which together I believe we can address: unemployment rates among adults with disabilities, and in particular, autism.

“Double that of the national average, at times even as high as 50-75%, it’s especially shocking given almost half of all adults with autism have received higher education. I consider it shameful that 26% of university graduates on the autism spectrum are unemployed or in unskilled, low-waged jobs.

“Even though our services at NEAS are amongst the best in the country, we must do more. It is for this reason that we are moving to support the significant number of adults on the autism spectrum who are unemployed or under-employed, passionately believing that the future for these individuals should be nothing less than bright.

“This is where Employment Futures comes in.

“Our ambition is to establish a committed but open employment network, made up of employers large and small, across a range of industries, so we can place ‘trainees’ in environments uniquely matched to their skill-sets and interests.”

One success story so far is from Ailsa Riddel, 31, who now has paid employment with Beamish Museum, following a period of supported volunteering.

She said: “I love working here and dealing with the public has made me so much more confident. When I was younger I applied to work at a supermarket, got down to the final six but didn’t get the job. I think that put me off a bit but I’m really lucky to have the job I’ve got now.”

Museum director Richard Evans, who will also be speaking at the Employment Futures launch event, believes Beamish are lucky to have her.

He added: “She has become a real asset. We could see how her self-esteem and confidence developed while she was volunteering, and she has the qualities we need. She has a lovely personality, a flexible attitude, she fits in well as part of a team, and she interacts so well with the visitors. It made sense to make her part of the staff.”

Other elements of Employment Futures, aided by the Government’s Access-To-Work scheme, could see NEAS providing in work support for employees and guidance for companies when an employee identifies themselves as being autistic, coaching and mentoring and bespoke training on autism awareness.

For more information contact North East Autism Society on 0191 410 9974 or email employment@ne-as.org.uk

Alternatively visit www.ne-as.org.uk/employment-futures to register

Places are now very limited so book now to avoid disappointment.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by North East Autism Society .