DHS expands IT jobs program for young people with autism

The Department of Human Services will expand its IT work placement program for young people with autism spectrum disorder into a second city.

In 2014, the DHS signed an agreement with the international Specialist People Foundation to run the Australian branch of it ‘Dandelion’ program, which aims to find jobs for one million people with autism worldwide.

The first group of 11 trainees began work in the software testing team of the department’s Adelaide IT hub at the beginning of the year.

Today, Human Services Minister Marise Payne said a further 13 young people had joined the Brisbane branch of the DHS IT shop to begin their three-year training programs.

“We are very impressed with the quality of the work produced by our Adelaide trainees, as well as their personal and professional growth. They have told us their confidence has never been so high,” she said in a statement.

The program is being run in partnership with HP Australia and Specialist People Foundation.

The group has also commenced a research program with La Trobe University that will review the impact of the work placement model on young employees with autism.