Graduates with autism who have problems finding employment are to receive support from one of the UK’s banking giants.
Working in partnership with UK charity Ambitious about Autism, Santander is ploughing £1 million into a ground-breaking higher education employment programme.
Tailored career support for autistic graduates
The programme is known as the Employ Autism Higher Education Network.
Its aim is to enable autistic students studying at universities to access paid internships and tailored career support and advice.
Autistic graduates are the least likely of all disabled students to find employment following their studies. According to a study published last year, only 33 per cent are in full-time work.
‘Much more challenging path’
Jolanta Lasota is chief executive of Ambitious about Autism. She said: “Autistic students and graduates are among our brightest talents and yet too many face a much more challenging path into long-term employment than their neurotypical peers.”
She said the charity will help equip universities with the skills and knowledge to support these students into careers that match their talents with employers who can “embrace difference”.
Unlocking potential
Justin Tomlinson is the Minister for Disabled People. He said: “Through innovative programmes like this, alongside the support that is available through government-funded programmes like Access to Work, we’re working together to unlock potential and remove barriers to employment.”
Ambitious about Autism will give specialist training and support to careers and employability professionals across 17 universities. The aim is to help them guide autistic students into sustainable employment.
Matt Hutnell is director of Santander Universities UK, the bank’s education-partnership arm. He said the bank also has plans to become an ‘autism confident’ employer. He added that he hoped the scheme will provide “life-changing opportunities”.
Roles to match skills
Students will receive support to identify roles that match their skills. They will also be given help with the application and recruitment process, which is often not adapted to allow autistic young people to succeed.
Each university will then work with local employers to create opportunities for these students to take part in internships with ‘autism-confident’ businesses. This will provide them with valuable ‘on the job’ experience in a supportive environment.
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Published: 20 October 2020
