With more than half of working age Australians on the autism spectrum currently unemployed, the Autism Association of WA is working with employers, including printers, to connect autistic workers with employment.
The association’s AIM Employment program, which supports people with autism in their job search has already been taken up by 10 print businesses in WA.
Printing Industries Association of Australia CEO Andrew Macaulay says he has received feedback from members which suggests employing an autistic person can have a positive impact on both the business and the worker.
“A win for a worker with autism; a win for our business member; and a win for the Autism Association of WA,” he says.
“Printing Industries is very pleased to be working with the Autism Association of WA to help both printing businesses and people with autism. Given the right job, those with autism can be fantastic contributors.
He adds, “The help available currently via the AIM program is icing on the cake.”
Family-run Perth printer Scott Print employs two team members with autism – Nathan and Elliot – who work alternating days in the printer’s dispatch area and in the factory.
General manager John Scott says autistic workers possess an eye for detail and are able to stack hundreds of stapled booklets, with the two side staples lined up exactly on top of each other.
He says partnering with AIM Employment has elevated the efficiency of the business and uplifted the atmosphere in the workplace.
“I have definitely noticed it,” Scott says. “It is almost like a maternal/paternal instinct comes out in staff. We want to encourage other printers and manufacturers in WA to get behind AIM.
“A lot of people complain about what the government does and what they are not doing right, but this is something they are doing right.”
Both Nathan and Elliot report they are enjoying the variety in their roles and hope to remain working at Scott Print for years to come.
“I just do not like sitting around and doing one thing for long unless it is constantly changing up a bit,” Nathan explains. “I guess that is what I like about here because it is different all the time pretty much unless there is a big job going on.”
Elliot says AIM made his job search easy, assisting him in finding meaningful work without leaving his comfort zone.
He says, “I am generally quite shy with new people so for AIM to handle all the people interview, the ringing up, that is another very good thing.”
AIM is a Commonwealth Government-funded model which offers employers 12 weeks of subsidised wages and ongoing support from Autism Association consultants.
If the employer decides to employ the candidate on a long-term basis, they can access a supported wage system provided by the Commonwealth Government.
AIM candidate’s wages are calculated against another employee doing the same job, if they achieve 80 per cent speed and accuracy for example, they will be paid 80 per cent of the wage.
Autism Association WA’s Russell Thomas explains, “It is a system to ensure people who may not have the productivity of the people they work next to but still have the accuracy are not disadvantaged in competing for work.
“They get the advantage of the employer being able to pay a productivity-based wage which creates a level playing field.”
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