World Autism Acceptance March 2025: Employment (SkillSET) SkillSET Our employability and skills services offer personalised support to individuals with disabilities at different stages in their employment journey ranging from transitions and skills development to finding and sustaining employment. Services are centred around the individual needs of each person and are delivered throughout Northern Ireland. SkillSET, supports individuals in identifying and securing employment by offering specialised employment training and mentoring that enhance skills and lead to sustainable employment. We assist job-ready individuals who need support to secure employment. Support and activities include: • One-to-one mentoring and support • Job finding • CV building and interview preparation • Matching with local employers • Employability and personal development skills • Basic skills and numeracy • Supporting access to further education and training • Opportunities to progress into volunteering roles • Supporting employers to recruit from a diverse talent pool. Case study 1 Ian and Michael’s story When Ian from Ballyfungi.com (@ballyfungi_belfast) discussed getting a piece of artwork for his studio with his Employment Officer Leanne, he felt that it was important to support a local budding artist. Leanne spoke to the other staff in her Cedar office and found that Natalie, Employment Officer Southeastern area was supporting someone who might be able to help. Michael shared some photos of his previous paintings and the two agreed to meet to chat about what they might be able to do together. Leanne took Michael to meet with Ian so that they could chat about what Ian wanted in his painting. Ian was open to give Michael creative licence asking only that it depicted some of the mushrooms which he was producing and that it was reflective of his mental health journey and the concept of the ‘Black Dog’. Michael listened to Ian’s thoughts and used them to make the painting emotive and to include all of the elements that they had discussed. Michael worked for 131 hours on a beautiful painting which he presented to Ian in the Cedar office at Balmoral, where staff could also come and see his work. Ian was delighted with the painting and is now looking to see where this might best be displayed for others to see. Leanne, SkillSET Employment Officer said ‘It has been fantastic to see what Michael has been able to produce and how well this has matched with the thoughts and ideas that he and Ian had discussed. It has been great to see 2 service users supporting each other.’ Roisin Barrett, Service Manager added ‘I am delighted to see how our SkillSET Employment Officers, Natalie Vance in Southeastern and Leanne Green in Belfast have been able to come together to support the needs of both participants, Michael Morgan and Ian McMordie, to achieve their goals. Michael has gained confidence in his unique gift of art and Ian in seeing the final product of work which depicts all the details and message that his business required.’ Case Study 2 Jodie’s journey Jodie started her role with NI Water on 14th March with a 12hour contract. After a period of settling in, Jodie had proved to be a dedicated and reliable worker and was being asked to cover shifts when other staff were on leave. She was initially apprehensive about taking on the extra responsibilities, however, with her line manager’s encouragement she gave this a go and she soon settled into the additional hours with ease. So well that she was asked if she would like to permanently increase her contract to 16 hours per week. Jodie was delighted with this and has continued to not only work her 16hpw, but also to cover even further shifts for them. She has gone from looking after the kitchens and bathrooms of one building, to now working across the entire NI Water site at Westland Road. On top of the increase in duties, Jodie’s confidence has grown in strides. From being shy and anxious and finding it very difficult to speak to any member of the NI Water staff team, she now knows the names of all of the staff and is greeted warmly by everyone including the security staff who call out to her by name as she comes to work. Jodie enjoys coming home and telling her mum about her day at work and the conversations that she has had. In mum’s words – ‘it’s been the making of her!’. Outside of work, the change in Jodie’s confidence and demeaner has been evident to all. She has been able to travel into town independently using public transport, to meet up with her mum after work for dinner. Jodie has been able to shop on her own and talk to more people than ever. She has also had the confidence to pass her theory test and is ready for her practical lessons to start. We are delighted that Jodie’s job search and work preparation with the SkillSET programme led to such a suitable role and we wish her every success for the future.