Neurodiverse students get a career kick-start at new virtual hub
News Release -- August 28, 2018
Macquarie University students with autism, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and dyslexia will gain access to employment opportunities and to support at the first university Neurodiversity Hub in New South Wales.
A new partnership with DXC Technology will help improve neurodivergent students’ employability through applied research and work experience with organisations such as DXC, SAP, ANZ and government agencies.
Hub founding Director and Associate Professor Anna Krzeminska from the Department of Management said the hub will help students become work-ready and connect them to mentoring and satisfying and rewarding work that suits their individual capabilities.
“People with neurodiverse needs typically have many strengths that would benefit potential employers, like having great attention to detail and problem-solving abilities, and being quick learners,” Associate Professor Krzeminska said who already co-founded the QLD Neurodiversity Hub at The University of Queensland.
Despite this, people on the autism spectrum are six times as likely to be unemployed than a neuro-typical person.
“As well as expanding career opportunities for neurodivergent students, the Hub will build a pipeline of talent for employers who recognise the benefits of a neurodiverse workforce and support important research in this area.”
A/Prof Krzeminska and her international team of leading experts have just signed a research contract funded by DXC and the Autism Cooperative Research Centre to investigate the challenges, lessons learned and most effective practices of large organisations in sustaining and scaling skilled autism employment. The project will develop new knowledge and best practice frameworks to support organisations in embracing workplace neurodiversity by recruiting, hiring and retaining adult employees on the autism spectrum.
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) Professor Sherman Young welcomed the addition of the new partnership to the existing supports for neurodiverse students at the university.
“Macquarie University prides itself on diversity and inclusion, and creating opportunities for all students to flourish,” Professor Young said.
“It’s not just about creating an inclusive university environment, it’s also important to actively help with the transition from university to the workplace for these students, which is what the Macquarie Neurodiversity Hub will help achieve.”
DXC Dandelion Program and Neurodiversity Hub executive Mr Michael Fieldhouse said, “We know that 85 percent of people on the autism spectrum are unemployed or underemployed. Our primary objective, through the hub, is to help provide neurodiverse students with the necessary skills development and opportunities required for employment.
“The hub is an expansion of our knowledge and experience from the DXC Dandelion program, and evidence based longitudinal research. It will also provide a platform for both DXC and our partners’ to share knowledge and experience to create a more inclusive work environment and provide business leadership to other employers.”