Autism Resource Centre launches employment service

New one-stop facility offers training and job placement

By Leslie Kay Lim, The Straits Times, 20 Mar 2012

AUTISTIC adults can now get help finding jobs at a one-stop resource centre which opened yesterday.

The Employability and Employment Centre (E2C) will offer assessment, training, job placement and support to suitable candidates.

Moulmein-Kallang GRC MP Denise Phua, who is also president of the Autism Resource Centre, opened the centre at Professor Brawn Cafe in Circular Road yesterday.

The cafe, which was opened by Ms Phua's husband in 2009, employs school-leavers from Pathlight School for autistic children.

'The message is not: Be kind and throw us some jobs... The message is: With training and support, people with autism can work,' said Ms Phua.

Due to the various difficulties they encounter, many autistic young people end up unemployed and living at home after they leave school.

But even ahead of its official launch, the new centre has seen some positive results. Of the sixteen currently on the E2C pilot programme, four have already been placed with employers.

Among them is Ms Grace Lee Yah Ling, 21, who has been working as a waitress at Professor Brawn Cafe. She said that previously, her parents had tried desperately to find a job for her.

'It really helped me gain more experience and be more confident,' said Ms Lee.

The E2C programme ranges from six months to a year and is open to Singapore citizens aged 16 and above who suffer from autism and are deemed suitable. Families are asked to pay $100 to $250 a month, depending on how much support is needed.

In addition to teaching on-the-job vocational skills, employment advisers will help job seekers prepare for interaction with colleagues and supervisors.

Five employers have so far become involved in the programme, offering training and job opportunities. They are Professor Brawn Cafe, Pathlight School, Starbucks Coffee Singapore, Mr Bean and Cake Glace.

Ms Phua's husband, Mr Ronald Tay Kiong Hong, 56, said he has been pleased with the performance of the autistic staff at Professor Brawn Cafe since it opened three years ago. The couple have an autistic son.

Parents of autistic children can also enjoy peace of mind. E2C's goal of empowering autistic people with employment means that people like Mr Mohammed Amin Zunri, who has a new job working in the cafe at Pathlight School, can have a sense of purpose and satisfaction.

'When I did not have a job, I was very sad, but now I am very happy. I like my job and I can buy clothes and spend on my hobbies with the salary that I earn,' the 24-year-old said.

His 66-year-old father, Mr Jamil Amin, spoke proudly of his son and others like him. 'We all fade away some time or other and (parents) want to know they are independent, that they can do things on their own,' he said.

The centre hopes to train and place around 100 people in jobs in the next three years.