Exploring Employment Event

On December 3rd, 2021, the National Autism Team held a free virtual employment event called Exploring Employment: How to find and keep the job or career that’s right for you. The event was for Autistic people of working age.

The event was co-produced with an advisory group of 13 Autistic people, who expressed interest in being involved in the development of the event through our Employment Event survey (read the results of the survey here). The advisory group made all key decisions about the event, including the topics of the workshops, the workshop facilitators, the format of the event and the name of the event.

The event was also developed with a strategic planning group, which included representatives from Welsh Government and higher education institutions, local authorities, Third-sector organisations, and supported employment schemes across Wales.

The workshop topics covered in the event were:

  • Communicating your needs to your employer
  • Understanding your employment rights and responsibilities
  • Managing your mental health and wellbeing at work
  • Flexible working
  • Interviews
  • Identifying your skills and interests and a job or career that is meaningful for you

 

The event aimed to provide practical tips surrounding the above topics. In doing so it hoped to empower Autistic people not only to find the right job for them, but to maintain a long and meaningful career.

The event was recorded and is available to view below.

The event was designed to be suitable for Autistic people at any stage of their employment journey. The workshop recordings and resources below are suitable for those who are not in employment and those who are in employment.

Part 1 – Welcome and context

Speakers include Julie Morgan MS, Deputy Minister for Social Services & Cllr Emlyn Dole, WLGA Employability and Skills Spokesperson

Part 2  Video clips from Advisory Group

 Part 3 – Workshop sessions

Communicating your needs to your employer – Autistic Minds

This workshop’s presentation will be made available soon.

Understanding your employment rights and responsibilities – Disability Wales

This workshop’s presentation will be made available soon.

Managing your mental health and wellbeing at work – Autism Wellbeing

Flexible Working – Careers Wales

Interviews – All Wales People First

Identifying your skills and interests and a job or career that is meaningful for you – Working Wales

 Part 4 – Closing session

 

What’s next?

The National Autism Team want to continue to empower and support Autistic people and plan to begin holding virtual information sharing sessions on key topics relating to employment early next year. There will be information sharing sessions for Autistic people, and information sharing sessions for employers on how to ensure their recruitment processes and workplace environments are inclusive and accessible for Autistic people.

The Team also plan to host an event next year which brings together Autistic people and employers.

Crucially we want this work to be shaped by the voices of Autistic people so that it is useful and accessible for Autistic people. If you are Autistic and would like to be involved in shaping and developing any of the work mentioned above, please let us know by filling out this engagement form here.

Looking for downloads?

Click the button below to view the downloads available on this webpage.

 

Downloads

Exploring Employment Resource Booklet
Exploring Employment Resource Booklet (Plain Background)