Auticon releases annual report on social impact
Auticon, an IT consultancy that employs autistic professionals, has released its 2022 Global Impact Report, which examines the impact the organization has on long-term sustainable employment for autistic individuals.
Autistic people face significant barriers to employment, with less than 22% estimated to hold any form of meaningful employment. According to previous research by Auticon and Deloitte, over 40% of autistic Canadians find the interview process a great challenge and 45% feel they have to mask autistic traits.
Founded in Berlin in 2011, Auticon employs 265 autistic team members across offices in Western Europe, the US, Canada, and Australia. The firm’s consultants work on projects in software development, data analysis, quality assurance and testing, and automation engineering.
Auticon also provides training to clients on inclusive workplace practices to eliminate barriers to neurodiverse inclusion, addressing areas such as recruitment processes, support networks, autism awareness, and prejudice.
Auticon’s investors include Richard Branson, Felix and Susanne Porsche, and Ananda Impact Ventures.
Auticon’s impact report found that 32% of its consultants have a master’s degree or higher, and that 85% of its consultants were unemployed or under-employed when they applied to the company. Eighty-one percent said the work they do at Auticon matches their skills.
On the client side, 80% of Canadian companies said Auticon resources made valuable contributions to their projects. Seventy percent said they now have a greater understanding of neurodiversity because of their engagements with Auticon.
“The competition for talent across Canada continues to be intense,” said Garth Johnson, CEO of Auticon Canada. “At auticon, we are showing employers how they can engage with a largely untapped pool of neurodivergent talent. As a result, more Canadian companies are reaping the benefits from the unique skills our consultants can bring to their teams.”
