Senior executive of Microsoft Mary Ellen Smith said: “People with autism bring strengths that we need at Microsoft.”
Microsoft says it wants to hire more people with autism in full-time roles. They aim to start by offering 10 places on a pilot scheme based at its Redmond headquarters. Announcing the new scheme in a blog, Ms Smith said: “Each individual is different, some have an amazing ability to retain information, think at a level of detail and depth or excel in math or code.” Specialist recruitment firm, Specialisterne, will help run a new hiring scheme, which operates in Denmark and the UK, works with several IT companies, and in other sectors, to promote the skills of people with autism for specific vacancies.
The UK’s National Autistic Society welcomed the move but said that other firms should do more to tap into the skills offered by many people with autism. Sarah Lambert, from the National Autistic Society, said: “It’s encouraging to see a global company like Microsoft recognise the untapped potential of adults with autism. “Many may have strengths such as accuracy, a good eye for detail and reliability, which can benefit all sorts of businesses, not just the technology industry. However, at the moment, just 15% of adults with autism in the UK are in full-time employment.”
I have some personal connections to autism so its good news to hear, and the fact the bbc are coving it will only help. Let me know in the Facebook group, or on our Facebook page.
