ASA is honoured to be recognised as one of Australia's Most Innovative Companies for its Talent Services offering. This initiative provides STEM workforces for the geospatial and engineering professions by bringing young neurodivergent adults out of long-term unemployment and providing on-the-job training, enhancing their future career prospects.
Our Talent Services initiative addresses:
• Skills shortages: geospatial and engineering professions are experiencing talent shortages, adversely impacting Australia’s ability to deliver critical infrastructure. We’re creating the professional workforce of the future
• Economic growth: embracing neurodiversity creates economic impact. We’ve succeeded with all levels of government and industry, delivering over $11 million worth of projects with Australian neurodivergent talent. Research shows that Australia could add $AUD43 billion to the Gross Domestic Product if the 34% autistic unemployment rate were reduced.
• Social impact: bringing young neurodivergent Australians out of long-term unemployment (>60% of staff). Seven have left disability support pensions
The prestigious annual list, published today by The Australian Financial Review and Boss Magazine, recognises the top innovations implemented in Australia in the past two years. ASA was named as one of the winners in the Government, Education and Not-For-Profit category. The awards attracted nomincations from over 300 organisations and were based on a rigorous assessment process managed by consultancy firm Inventium.
ASA CEO Geoff Smith said the team was delighted to be recognised as one of Australia’s Most Innovative Companies.
“Our Talent Services offering addresses a significant business requirement for big data skills while creating work for young autistic adults in forward-looking sectors. Australia requires 6.5 million big-data jobs by 2030 to keep up with technological transformation and deliver critical infrastructure.
“There is no precedent in Australia or worldwide regarding matching young neurodivergent adults who have amazing cognitive skills with those required by the geospatial and digital engineering professions. Our on-the-job training prepares our people for sustainable careers with other organisations in the geospatial and digital engineering fields. It also creates social impact for young neurodivergent people and addresses Australia’s data sovereignty concerns.” Geoff said.
Samantha Garbutt, ASA’s Chief People Officer, said, “We are thrilled to be supporting organisations on their neuroinclusion journey to address their skills shortage with talented, young professionals. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all' approach. Our aim is to ensure leaders and teams are better equipped with the understanding and tools to support current and future neurodivergent employees. In return, you’ll be rewarded with loyal and dedicated team members seeking to grow their career with you, often with a killer attention to detail!”
You can find out more in this Australian Financial Review article.