“With Precision” Social Enterprise Project is an exciting endeavor of Autism Calgary to be launched this year in partnership with Sinneave Family Foundation. Driven by limited employment opportunities for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and inspired by the success of similar social enterprise initiatives emerging in other countries, our goal is to launch and grow a non-profit consulting company that leverages the special skills of adults with Autism in tasks utilizing their unique talents and abilities. Due to local market conditions and the business needs in Calgary’s vibrant workplace, there is an untapped niche for many of the skills of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Opportunities have been identified in the areas of information technology and in Calgary’s active oil and gas sector. The Calgary operation will be the first of many in Canada. With our strong partnership with the Sinneave Family Foundation and pending support from the Government of Canada we are excited to begin that journey.
The project has been guided through the passionate support of a skilled advisory board, comprised of individuals with extensive education and experience in information technology, software testing, business leadership, marketing, special education, and community development. In addition to the formation of a social enterprise business, the program being developed this year will consist of several components, including the development of employer workshops, conferences and on-line resources, a toolkit for replication of the business model at other sites in Canada and outreach to post-secondary institutions. This project will continue to evolve with the participation of the autism community. Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder will be involved in many aspects of the project, including presenting to employers and post-secondary institutions.
We have started the hiring process for an entrepreneurial leader, who will work with the advisory board and two staff members of Autism Calgary in operationalizing the project. This individual will assume the position of Chief Executive Officer of a newly registered charitable social enterprise business. It is expected that the project will reach at least 1000 employers by the end of the five-year project timeline, raising awareness of the employer benefits of hiring individuals on the autism spectrum. It is expected that approximately 40 individuals with autism will be engaged in the consulting business and many more will be connected to meaningful employment or appropriate post-secondary opportunities through the program. It is also expected to duplicate the model in multiple Canadian urban centers.
Click Here to view the job posting for the CEO of this emerging charitable business initiative.
Contact our Project Coordinator Maureen Jensen for more information.
Note: Maureen was recently featured on a CBC National Radio segment on Vocational Opportunities for individuals with Autism – click hear to play this radio segment from the CBC National website.