INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Enterprise Security
POWERED BY
UK National Autistic Society
to develop cybersecurity centre
with DXC
/////////////////////////////
D
XC Technology, a leading
independent end-to-end IT
services company, is promoting
neurodiversity in the workplace through a
specialist centre which is being developed
to help autistic people in the UK pursue
digital, IT and cybersecurity careers
through supported internships with leading
employers in the industry.
The centre, which will be run by the National
Autistic Society, is based on a successful
employment model (the DXC Dandelion
Programme) introduced in Australia by
DXC Technology and Untapped Group, the
strategic partner managing the attraction,
sourcing and supporting of neurodiverse
talent. The National Autistic Society is
looking to build partnerships with employers
in cybersecurity, with a view to opening the
centre in Autumn 2019.
Australia and is the basis for leading research
on autism in the workplace.
Emma Kearns, the National Autistic
Society’s Employment Training Manager,
said: “A growing number of employers are
recognising autistic people’s potential.
“Yet our charity’s research shows just 16%
of autistic people are in full time paid work
– and many of them are in jobs below their
skill level. This is a huge waste of talent at
a time when there’s a big skills shortage,
particularly in the cybersecurity industry.
“We’re committed to changing this through
campaigning and working with organisations
such as DXC Technology and the Untapped
Group to develop opportunities like this new
programme. It is based on a tried and tested
model in Australia so we’re really excited to
get working on introducing it in England and
to develop relationships with universities and
employers in the cybersecurity industry.
“We’re not just preparing the autistic
candidates for work, we’re also working
with employers to make sure they
understand autism and introduce the right
support and adjustments.
“It’s important to remember every autistic
person has different skills, interests and
support needs, and that some people aren’t
able to work at all. We’re targeting those
autistic adults with a real interest in all
things digital here, but we’re also looking to
introduce employment opportunities for other
industries in the coming months and years.
“Autistic people have so much to give – but
employers have to give them a chance.” n
The programme will be run from the
charity’s Enterprise Campus in Essex, which
also houses a specialist school for children
on the autism spectrum, an assessment and
diagnostic service and, in the near future, a
variety of training and employment projects.
The new cybersecurity and IT centre will
provide opportunities for autistic people to
obtain cybersecurity training and internships.
The centre will leverage the knowledge of
the successful DXC Dandelion Programme,
which has collaborations globally and is used
by some Australian banks and the Australian
Department of Defence to attract, recruit,
hire and retain people on the spectrum for
cybersecurity roles.
The National Autistic Society is working
with DXC and Untapped Group to adapt
the DXC Dandelion Programme model for
the UK. Established in 2013, the Dandelion
Programme employs over 100 people in
70
INTELLIGENTCIO
www.intelligentcio.com