Autism Berkshire is working with the Reading-based charity Graft Thames Valley on a new project to help autistic adults in the county who want to find work.
The free Survival Guide Skills for Employment course draws on Graft’s expertise in helping to eradicate barriers to employment for disabled people.
It aims to boost autistic adults’ confidence and develop the skills needed to look for work and find a job, including communication, digital skills for job searching and the workplace, making job applications and preparing for interviews, and the transition into work.
The first course, starting in January 2023, will use a blended learning approach, with a mix of online sessions and face-to-face sessions at Graft Thames Valley’s office in Reading town centre. The aim is to help those who join a course to progress to paid full-time or part-time employment, volunteer roles or work experience with local businesses.
They will also be able to benefit from access to Graft Thames Valley’s Job Club service and ongoing support to find appropriate employment, plus signposting to further learning and training opportunities and access to other support to improve life skills and/or health and wellbeing, from Autism Berkshire and other providers.
Graft Thames Valley’s chief executive officer, Hazel Wright, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer this fantastic training. Jobseekers who are autistic tell us that they need specific help and support to find work that will be both rewarding and accessible for them.
“With the support of Autism Berkshire, we will engage with jobseekers to deliver this programme of training and provide additional support to help them through the transition into the world of work. If you are autistic and would like to get a job, this is the programme for you.”
Autism Berkshire’s chief executive officer, Jane Stanford-Beale, added: “With the right support and reasonable adjustments in workplaces, autistic people are just as capable as other employees and will be valuable members of an organisation. We want to help more autistic people find jobs and this programme will help to get them ready to move into employment.”
Autistic adults who are interested in joining a Survival Guide Skills for Employment course should call Graft Thames Valley on 01183 805 950 or email info@graft.org.uk
Click here to download a leaflet about the course.
- The project is funded by a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund.
