The main objectives of the ASES project were: To provide management and HR members with a recruitment and career development methodology suitable for staff with Autism; To offer a distance learning solution for training SME management staff in exploiting the qualities of staff with Autism; To increase the productivity of employees with Autism in the workplace; To increase the recruitment and retention rate of staff with Autism; To reduce the employment gap between people with and without disabilities by increasing employment opportunities for people with Autism; To eliminate the exclusion of people with Autism in the workplace; Ultimately, the project aimed to benefit the European economy through increased productivity and employment levels of people with Autism. The focus was on enhancing the role of VET in the career development of staff with Autism. Training SMEs is essential for recruiting and retaining autistic people in the labour market, valuing their skills and promoting their autonomy, self-determination, and independent living.
Studies suggest that approximately 1 in 59 children is diagnosed with autism, and less than 10% of individuals with autism are employed, often in low-wage jobs. Barriers to employment include limited access to vocational training, communication difficulties, denial of reasonable accommodation, and societal prejudices. The European Economic and Social Committee highlighted these issues during a 2019 discussion at the European Parliament. The Director of Autism-Europe emphasized leveraging the strengths associated with autism for successful employment, citing job coaching and technology-focused hiring programs as effective practices. ASES project aimed to address those challenges by developing training materials and tools for SME management to enhance workplace inclusion of adults with autism. The project created digital training resources for employers and HR staff, incorporating gamification elements for distance learning. The target groups included SMEs, individuals with autism, business and employment stakeholders, disability advocates, and economic authorities. This project aims to promote the recruitment and long-term retention of autistic people in the labour market, contributing to more inclusive companies and societies.