More than 5.4 million Americans are living with an autism spectrum disorder, according to the CDC, many of whom are adults who often struggle to find employment that supports their needs. SRP is the first water and power utility in the nation to be granted Certified Autism Center status by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). This means that key stakeholders in our company are trained and certified to better serve individuals with autism.
“SRP siempre busca maneras de convertirse en un empleador más inclusivo, y convertirse en un Centro de Autismo Certificado respalda ese objetivo de todo corazón”.
Stephanie Winn, Sr. Employee Relations Representative, SRP
Encontrando un lugar en la fuerza laboral
The Precisionists Inc. (TPI) is an organization that works with companies nationwide to perform information technology and business services utilizing individuals who are neurodiverse, harnessing their unique talents. Instead of putting potential candidates through interviews — which many well-qualified people with autism struggle with — TPI assesses and trains them over a period of three to four weeks to identify their skills and talents to appropriately match them to the company’s open positions.
SRP ‘s partnership with TPI began in 2018, as they trained our staff in how to better attract and work with neurodiverse individuals, including those with autism, ADHD and other neurological differences.
Alex Polesky, a consultant from TPI, works in the SRP Records Management department. He said that, before the TPI and SRP partnership, finding work was difficult for him due to the challenges he faces with being on the autism spectrum. Polesky, along with others on the spectrum, found assignments at SRP through a neurodiversity employment partnership with TPI.
“Este es el primer trabajo que he tenido en el que ahora tengo dinero para disfrutar de las cosas que me gustan”, dijo Polesky. “Vale la pena invertir tiempo en capacitarnos y contratarnos”.
La importancia de la inclusión
Here at SRP, we believe it’s important that we reflect the community we serve and that we foster an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are celebrated. Our goal is to ensure all SRP employees feel valued and recognized for what they contribute and can show up as their authentic selves.
“Estamos entusiasmados de formar parte de este movimiento creciente de inclusión para personas neurodiversas y esperamos que muchos otros en nuestra región y nuestro sector se unan a nosotros”, dijo Winn, uno de los empleados de SRP que estableció nuestra asociación con TPI.