CHARITY HOPES ITS JOB SCHEME WILL ‘EMPOWER’ AUTISTIC PEOPLE

Only 15 per cent of adults with condition are in full-time employment

A CHARITY is set to launch a programme to help young autistic people in Staffordshire find a job.

Disability charity Caudwell Children is launching the Digital Skills Training Programme to improve on the fact that just 15 per cent of autistic adults in England are in full-time employment.

The programme will tackle the barriers that often prevent autistic people from finding work by providing cuttingedge digital training such as cyber security and coding, plus a range of employability workshops and work experience.

Autistic people aged 16 to 25 are encouraged to apply for the 10-week programme – providing they live in Staffordshire.

CEO of Caudwell Children, Trudi Beswick, above, said: “National employment figures show that autistic people too often struggle to find work.

“Not because they don’t want to work, but because they can’t get an interview or haven’t been given the training or opportunities to harness their potential.

“We’re determined to change that by empowering autistic people and changing perceptions to help make UK workplaces more inclusive.

“Our Digital Skills Training Programme will boost skills, aspirations and confidence by tapping into young people’s strengths.”

Caudwell Children is launching the Digital Skills Training Programme after being awarded a grant from The Community Fund for Staffordshire on behalf of the European Social Fund.

The programme for youngsters in Staffordshire follows Caudwell Children’s successful delivery of a similar course for autistic people in Birmingham and the Black Country.

More than half of those that completed the programme gained employment or secured an interview within three months of completing the programme – while 10 per cent went into further education.

Caudwell Children’s Digital Skills programme offers a range of benefits to people with autism, including:

Raising skills, aspirations and confidence;

Building practical and digital skills; Providing high-quality work experience in a digital environment;

A better understanding of the world of employment;

Progress into paid work; Flexible learning to meet the needs of the learner.

The programme is set to start from November 29. To apply, visit www. caudwellchildren.com/digital-skills