DXC Technology Launches Enterprise Centre with Autism New Zealand
News Release -- July 29, 2019
Wellington, New Zealand, 29 July 2019 — DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC),the world’s leading independent, end-to-end IT services company, and Autism New Zealand today announced the establishment of an Enterprise Centre in New Zealand to help individuals on the autism spectrum gain high-skilled jobs in industries such as hospitality, accounting, agriculture and IT.
The new Enterprise Centre will offer one of the world’s first on-site training and learning facilities aimed at preparing young autistic people for the working world. The Enterprise Centre will include a cybersecurity and technology centre and will capitalise on the knowledge of the already established National Autistic Society (NAS) Enterprise Centre in the United Kingdom.
NAS set up the world’s first school for autistic children in 1965, and in 2018 opened an Enterprise Centre as part of its Enterprise Campus. DXC and Untapped Group, which manage the attraction, sourcing and supporting of neurodiverse talent, are currently working with NAS on developing a cybersecurity and IT centre in the UK.
“The partnership with Autism New Zealand to launch an Enterprise Centre allows us to bring knowledge and experience from the DXC Dandelion Program to scale for New Zealand, influencing employment into high demand industries outside of IT. We are looking forward to leveraging the work we are doing with NAS to harness best practice in assisting individuals on the autism spectrum in New Zealand to obtain the right training and build meaningful careers,” said Michael Fieldhouse, Director, Social Impact Practice Leader and Dandelion Program Executive.
The DXC Dandelion Program today employs over 100 people in Australia and is the basis for leading research on autism in the workplace. DXC already utilises the talents of individuals with autism in cybersecurity for the Australian Government Department of Defence and leading banks. Over 360 organisations across 77 countries have downloaded the DXC Dandelion Program material, which is open sourced globally via Cornell University.
“Autism New Zealand is very excited to be partnering with DXC and Untapped to develop the Enterprise Centre in New Zealand,” said Dane Dougan, CEO, Autism New Zealand. “We currently run an employment support programme in Auckland, and this development will allow us to extend that programme over time and work with both potential employees and employers to ensure success for all. Employment for adults is a focus for Autism New Zealand and to be able to work on developing an enterprise sector is the next logical step in the development of employment services.”
DXC will leverage its global relationships with Symantec, Splunk and Untapped to assist with training, assessment and on-going support at the new Enterprise Centre.
“The new Enterprise Centre will build on the success of the DXC Dandelion Program, which has focussed on establishing careers for autistic people, particularly in cybersecurity, data analytics and software testing. The centre will help employers to understand and learn what is required to ensure sustainable employment for those on the autistic spectrum,”added Fieldhouse.
About DXC Technology
As the world’s leading independent, end-to-end IT services company, DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC) leads digital transformations for clients by modernizing and integrating their mainstream IT, and by deploying digital solutions at scale to produce better business outcomes. The company’s technology independence, global talent, and extensive partner network enable 6,000 private and public-sector clients in 70 countries to thrive on change. DXC is a recognized leader in corporate responsibility. For more information, visit dxc.technology and explore thrive.dxc.technology, DXC’s digital destination for changemakers and innovators.
About Autism New Zealand
Autism New Zealand empowers people living with autism to make informed choices and take action: every step together.
Contact:
- Sheila Dhillon, Australia and New Zealand Corporate Communications, DXC Technology sdhillon@dxc.com , +61 423 884 848
- Dane Dougan, CEO, Autism New Zealand +64 226 390 205