Autism Works!
How to be an Autism Confident Employer
The training was delivered to such a high standard, the professionalism and knowledge from the trainers was outstanding. Coming from a lived experience perspective gave the training a totally different feel. I liked the framing of information and language describing autism.
Training participant Feb 2023
View details for our next open training dates
Autism Works!
3-Part online course (via Zoom):
Session 1: Thursday 18 April 1.30 – 3.15 pm
Session 2: Thursday 25 April 1.30 – 3.00 pm
Session 3: Thursday 2 May 1.30 – 3.00 pm
Register here
Would you like to:
- Become a more inclusive employer?
- Enhance the confidence of your team to recruit, retain and promote autistic staff?
Our interactive professional training is designed to equip organisations/employers to understand the diverse capabilities and skill-sets autistic individuals can bring to their workforce, and build confidence in recruiting, retaining, and promoting autistic staff.
Background to the Autism Works! project
An innovative project supported by Scottish Government’s ‘Increasing Understanding of Autism’ fund.
Autism Works is part of a wider Scottish Government programme, managed by Inspiring Scotland, to increase understanding of autism across Scotland.
In 2020, we formed an Autism Advisory Group to co-produce a new three part training course for employers. Our Advisory Group have a wealth of experience in a range of roles.
The project is co-produced by autistic people, with the goal of breaking down barriers and increasing opportunities for autistic adults to fulfil their employment potential.
Training with lived experience at its heart
Our training stands out because it has been co-produced with an Advisory Group of work-experienced autistic people and is delivered by autistic trainers and consultants, who have substantial professional experience in a range of different sectors and roles.
Watch this video co-produced by our Autism Advisory Group explaining some of the common barriers autistic people encounter with team working and how to make it more inclusive:
Topics we cover:
- What is autism?
- What does an autistic person experience?
- Autism-inclusive work environment, recruitment, and adjustments
- Continuing to thrive: retention and career progression
- Resources and sources of support
- What can you do?
Who is this training for?
The course is aimed at professionals responsible for managing staff or work environments, or for those wishing to develop good organisational practices. It is suitable for work teams and anyone with an interest in inclusive work practices.
During 2021-May 2023, we trained over 300 people from 92 different organisations, ranging from multinational companies with a base in Scotland to local enterprises and including local authorities and public bodies such as National Library Scotland
How is this training delivered?
This course is delivered interactively to small groups of up to 16 participants. We can offer this course online over three sessions, where we ask that participants attend all sessions as these build on one another) or in person across one day or two half days.
For further information about our training, please contact training@intowork.org.uk.
Suzanne Dyson
Associate Trainer
About SuzanneSuzanne is one of our Associate Trainers. Having held many programme and project management roles, she has a depth of understanding of the corporate and small business worlds.
Suzanne returned to Edinburgh to work in neurodiversity training, coaching life skills with young disabled people, and in IT development.
- Year Joined: 2020
- Hobbies: Music, writing poetry and lyrics, playing squash
- Wanted to Be When They Grew Up: Architect
Fiona Clarke
Associate Trainer
About FionaFiona is one of our Associate Trainers.
Fiona, a disability advocate and consultant, has delivered autism and neurodiversity training to employers, muti-disciplinary practitioners and on university courses.
Fiona is active in the autism communities as a Trustee of Scottish Autism, a Committee member of Autistic Mutual Aid Society Edinburgh and an Executive Director of the European Council of Autistic People. Fiona is an active member of the Autism Cross Party Group and was on the Working Group for the Royal College of Psychiatrist’s report on Autism in Adults (CR228). Fiona is also a co-facilitator on Autism Rights Group Highland’s Scottish Government funded post diagnosis support group for parents.
After graduating from Manchester University, Fiona qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG in London and worked in the financial sector for 19 years. Positions included Head of Group Financial Reporting at Royal Bank of Scotland and Vice President Accounting Advisory at Citigroup.
Fiona is multiply neurodivergent and received her autism diagnosis 15 years ago, a year after her youngest daughter.
- Year Joined: 2020
- Secret Talent: Speed typing
- Dream Holiday Destination: Any country with a new culture and dry heat
Tanya Milligan
Associate Trainer
About TanyaTanya is one of our Associate Trainers. She is a Chartered Librarian who has worked in both public libraries and school libraries (both primary and secondary) for many years. In addition to working as an Autism Works Trainer, Tanya currently works part time as Project Lead Librarian for a public library service. In this role, she creates, obtains funding for, and manages various projects.
Tanya is a board member for the autistic led charity the Scottish Women’s Autism Network (SWAN). Tanya is also a professional storyteller and has shared stories with many different groups of people, from children in nurseries, to adults living with dementia. Tanya has two autistic children and recently received her own autism diagnosis.
- Year Joined: 2020
- Secret Talent: I can spin wool and have 2 beautiful spinning wheels
- Pets: 2 dogs – a whippet who is full of mischief, and a greyhound who loves getting his ears rubbed