92%
retention rate of employed program participants
DXC Dandelion Program
An award-winning program connecting neurodiverse people with meaningful employment, and helping workplaces fill IT skills gaps.
About the Program
Neurodiverse people, such as those on the autism spectrum, or who have dyslexia or ADHD, often have an extraordinary capacity for visual thinking, accuracy and attention to detail. These are invaluable skills in the IT industry, particularly in areas such as cybersecurity or data analytics.
Established in 2014, the DXC Dandelion Program embraces, supports and expands the skills of neurodiverse people to help them secure long-term, fulfilling IT careers.
As a result, DXC customers and partners are given access to highly skilled team members with strong technical capability, to meet their IT needs.
Backed by global research and designed in collaboration with neurodiverse people, the DXC Dandelion Program provides:
- A unique selection and recruitment process
- Work experience programs
- Organisational change programs (including workplace awareness training)
- Tailored employment programs
- On-site holistic support frameworks
Program Benefits
30-40%
increase in productivity reported by customers
75%
job satisfaction reported by neurodiverse people
100%
of participating workplaces offer permanent postions to neurodiverse people after program conclusion
80%
co-workers say the program doesn’t add any additional overhead work
Competitive Advantage
workplaces report a competitive advantage since developing a neurodiverse workforce
Technology Partnerships
As a leading Fortune 500 technology services company with a global ecosystem of technology alliance partners, neurodiverse people are provided with broad education pathways and career progression opportunities
Program Impact
Fill IT skill gaps
organisations fill IT skill gaps and gain highly intelligent, dedicated and innovative team members
Job Security
neurodiverse people secure fulfilling long-term IT careers in supportive and inclusive workplaces
120+
neurodiverse people employed across Australia
$2.5M+
invested in neurodiversity and mental health research
500+
organisations accessing our open-sourced tools
12+
neurodiversity hubs established with universities and research partners
DXC Dandelion Program Awards
- 2020 iTnews Benchmark Awards: Diversity Project of the Year for 2019
- 2019 NAB Supplier Awards: Diversity, Inclusion and Sustainability
- 2019 ACS Digital Disruptors Awards: Skills Transformation of Work Teams
- 2019 ACS South Australian Young Professional of the Year
- 2019 ACS Digital Disruptors Awards: Young Professional of the Year – Gold Disruptor
- 2018 ISG ANZ Paragon Awards – Impact category
- 2017 ACT Chief Minister’s Award for Excellence and Inclusion in Business
- 2017 AAGE Graduate Recruitment Industry Awards: Will Spensley Memorial Award
- 2017 AIIA iAwards South Australia: Community Services
- 2015 AIIA iAwards ACT: Inclusion and Community
- 2015 Asia Pacific Autism Conference: Outstanding Service in the Autism Spectrum Field
- 2015 Amaze Community Awards: Excellence in Business Leadership
Some of our technology, industry and research partners
SAP
NAB
Life Sherpa
Olga Tennison
Roim Rachok
La Trobe University
Autism CRC
JP Morgan
Pymetrics
Google
Dandelion Program ANZ Case Study
Dandelion Program ANZ Case Study
“After a successful first year and transitioning four people to permanent employees we added an additional seven trainees for year two. Autistic people at ANZ are bringing significant value, in particular, valuable problem-solving capability. The program is one way we’re responding to the need to recruit the right people for in-demand capabilities like cyber security and data.”
Andrew Baird
ANZ Spectrum Program Manager, ANZ Bank
News and insights
A world-first mental health toolkit to support neurodiverse employers
A collaboration between DXC, La Trobe University and ANZ Bank helps organisations better support neurodiverse employees.
2021 Social Impact Practice Report
DXC is proud to demonstrate the impact we are making for our people, customers, partners, and the broader community.
Diversity of thought enables competitive advantage for NAB
Neurodiversity program addresses the demand for new talent in the IT industry, and achieves outstanding business results for National Australia Bank.