Employment Programme

Schools and colleges do not always equip their students with the job-seeking, securing and retaining skills that they often require and this is particularly true for many autistic learners whom may find it more difficult to pick up some of the ‘softer’ skills needed.

Now in its 5th year of operation, the Autistic Minds 8-week Employment Programme has supported over 350 autistic adults in South Wales to improve their skills and understanding of autism and the workplace.

Working in close partnership with the Department for Work and Pension (DWP) and local Job Centres across south Wales, the team at Autistic Minds run courses that enable those neurodiverse individuals seeking work, an opportunity to better understand the world of employment and more importantly better understand themselves. We also work closely with job coaches by providing advice and training to help identify individuals that may benefit from the course, but may not have a formal diagnosis. The personal outcomes for those attend the course are often life-changing and reach far beyond employment prospects.

We also help attendees in:

• Gaining a better understanding of themselves, their skills, strengths, qualities, and needs.
• Help in planning and mapping their future employment options and routes
• Feedback to help build and develop their CV to aid in the search for preferred employment
• To develop a better understanding of reasonable adjustments in the workplace.
• To experience a simulated interview from an active employer

The Employment Programme is currently run online using video calling software. With small groups, no larger than 10, the supportive and nurturing environment allows for customisation of the content based on attendee interest and experiences.

Each attendee is able to engage as much as they are comfortable in doing and our course leaders ensure that each person is made comfortable.