The University’s Employ Autism programme is run in collaboration with Ambitious about Autism as part of their Employ Autism Higher Education Network. This year the scheme is offering 15 internships that will run for either eight weeks on a full-time basis or spread over 40 days part time.
Since the programme started students have taken on roles such as Production and Development Intern at Voltage TV, Junior Data Platform Engineer at ETZ Payments, Trainee Architectural Technologist at Pozzoni Architects and Project Support Officer at North West London Clinical Commissioning Group.
The range of opportunities hopes to address concerns over high unemployment rates among autistic adults. According to reports, only 21.7% of autistic people are in full-time or part-time employment – the lowest percentage of all disabled groups.
Thomas Carey took part in the programme last year when he was a second-year Accounting BSc Honours student. Thanks to funding from Santander Universities UK, he successfully completed a 40-day internship at King’s College NHS Trust where he worked in the Finance Department. He gained experience in accounting and an understanding of how an NHS Trust operates financially.
The internship led Thomas to develop a great interest in an accounting career in the NHS and gave him the confidence and skills to successfully apply for a placement year with the Trust.
He said: “I enjoyed the inclusive atmosphere within the office, where colleagues would assist me with my tasks as well as educate me on using the accounting software that was used. By developing a professional relationship with my line managers, I was able to get a reference to apply for a placement year within the NHS and was successful in my application to get a placement.”
Another student who has taken part in the programme said: “Before starting the Employ Autism programme I would never specify on job applications that I have autism. However, since starting the internship I have felt accepted and not discriminated against. I have learned new skills, such as how to build my confidence and self-affirmation, as well as interview and communication skills. The amount of support I received was phenomenal and now I have skills that have set me up not only for my future career but for life.”
The programme also offers benefits to employers, as Ambitious about Autism leads free training in how to work with people with autism, gives access to a pool of untapped diverse talent and provides the opportunity to be a Disability Confident Employer, all without costing them a penny.
One employer who took part in the scheme said: “I found the whole experience of the Employ Autism Programme really positive. The training we were provided with to support the applicants was excellent. I learnt so much and it broadened my outlook and made me much more aware of the different challenges people may face in the workplace.”
Another added: “It was such a pleasure to be a part of the Employ Autism internship programme, not only because our intern was engaged, enthusiastic and a great addition to the team, but also because the programme - and the excellent training provided - has helped us as employers gain a better understanding of autism and how we can support autistic staff in the future.”
Jolanta Lasota, Chief Executive of Ambitious about Autism, 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.”
Emily Whinnett, a Work Experience and Placement Officer at the University of Westminster, added: “Since the programme began in 2020, 16 students and recent graduates have completed internships with organisations across a variety of sectors. Employers receive full training in working with and supporting individuals with autism before the internship commences. We are delighted that the programme will continue to run in 2023/24 and that we will be able to reach more autistic students and recent graduates.”
Learn more about the Employ Autism programme.
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