Regional Victoria was a primary focus for the 2019 Autism Advantage Victoria program. Throughout March to November 2019, Specialisterne conducted four selection, assessment and on-boarding programs targeting the regional locations of Geelong and Ballarat.
With the funding provided by Jobs Victoria, Specialisterne targeted private sector business, local and State Government. Specialisterne was able to utilise this funding to entice business and government to be part of a group program, allowing single or multiple positions to be sourced or generated. Conducting these group programs, innovated the employment process allowing the necessary resources to establish meaningful career paths for Victorian Autistic adults who currently experience barriers to employment.
Specialisterne supported participating businesses to employ 20 autistic Victorians, and provide Ongoing Business Enablement Support to each business to ensure the program was sustainable.
Candidates were placed in the Ballarat Gold Mine (Core Testing), the Department of Veteran Affairs (Records Officers), RACV (Test Analyst), Independent Hardware Group (Support Desk), KPMG (Junior Security Operations Analyst and System Monitoring Specialist), Bayside City Council (Website Accessibility Officer / Proof Reader / Works Auditor / Technical Project Officer), Stonnington Council (Administration) and Kingston City Council (Internal Appeals Officer).
Core testing
What the hiring managers have to say:
“I’m a big advocate for the program, you just need to find the right job for the right person, it’s rewarding for the employee and the employer. There have been some challenges which take patience, understanding and clear communication to overcome. If you have an open mind and are willing to adapt your recruitment process, hiring an employee who is on the Autism Spectrum is just as beneficial as hiring someone who isn’t.”
“Normally we have just a CV and a 20 minute interview to go by. The Specialisterne recruiting process gives us a much better picture of the participant.”
“It has been refreshing to realise how little we explain new tasks to staff members. It has prompted me to include this for some task we provide to all staff.”
“Understanding how different we all are, it has helped me be much more detailed in my training of new staff, to explain more clearly.”
What the candidates have to say:
“My success in JVIF Program has enabled me to achieve a balance in my life I have not had in the many years I struggled through education programs whilst searching for suitable employment opportunities. I would recommend Specilisterne to anyone who is eligible to participate in their programs.”
“From my first day to my last, this program filled me with confidence and a greater understanding of what I am capable of. Knowing that a program like this exists has raised my hopes for people whom I share the same condition with. We now have a great opportunity to prove ourselves and find work to participate successfully in society.”
Specialisterne gives candidates the opportunity and the time to SHOW their capabilities rather than having to talk about them.
