The University of Sussex has joined the Employ Autism Higher Education Network, a ground-breaking higher education employability programme, which aims to unlock the potential of autistic students and graduates and help them into full-time work.

The nationwide programme - run by Santander, through Santander Universities UK and the charity Ambitious about Autism - will enable autistic students and graduates studying at Sussex to access paid internships with autism-confident employers who have completed tailored training. 

Latest research has found that autistic graduates are the least likely of all disabled students to find employment following their studies – with only a third in full-time work.

This new programme aims to tackle this issue by ensuring more autistic students and graduates have access to meaningful employment experience. It will also ensure local businesses can benefit from neurodiverse talent within their workforces.  

Emily Huns, Head of Careers, Employability & Entrepreneurship, said: “We’re delighted to be joining the Employ Autism Higher Education Network and play our part in helping more autistic students and graduates achieve their potential.

“We’re looking forward to working with students to match their talents to autism-confident employers in the Brighton and Hove area who can support them to thrive in the workplace.”

During the 18-month programme, careers and employability professionals at Sussex will receive specialist training from Ambitious about Autism to optimise their support to autistic students, helping to guide them into sustainable employment.

Working with professionals who understand their needs, students will receive support to identify roles that match their skills and given help with the application and recruitment process, which often needs to be adapted to allow autistic young people to shine.

The University will also work with local employers to create opportunities for these students to take part in internships with autism-confident businesses, providing them with valuable ‘on the job’ experience in a supportive environment.

Jolanta Lasota, Chief Executive of Ambitious about Autism, said: “Autistic students and graduates are among our brightest talents and yet too many face a much more challenging path into long-term employment than their neurotypical peers.

“By joining our programme, Sussex will be at the forefront of the drive to increase the neurodiversity of the UK workforce and will also be helping to change the lives of autistic people.”

Matt Hutnell, Director of Santander Universities UK said: “Santander is committed to supporting students from diverse backgrounds into university, work and self-employment so we’re pleased to join forces with Ambitious about Autism and a number of our university partners to launch this pioneering new programme. By working together, we hope to improve employment outcomes for autistic students and graduates by providing life changing opportunities.”

Minister for Disabled People, Justin Tomlinson, said: “It’s great to see Santander leading by example by investing in the often-untapped talent of autistic young people. Through innovative programmes like this, alongside the support from government-funded programmes like Access to Work, we’re unlocking potential and removing barriers to employment.”

Santander and Ambitious about Autism’s Employ Autism Higher Education Network programme will bring together the higher education sector and employers to create further lasting employment opportunities for autistic young people across the UK. For more information visit www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk.

If you are interested in lending your support to this initiative at Sussex please contact Mary Connolly in the Development and Alumni Relations Office at M.Connolly@sussex.ac.uk