A company based in Argyll and Bute is urging more employers to hire neurodivergent workers after offering a full-time job to an apprentice with Asperger’s Syndrome.
CX Services in Dunoon describes 20-year-old print apprentice Riley Macrae-Duffy as ‘outstanding’ and says employers need to focus on the positives of hiring people whose brains work differently.
Being neurodivergent means having a brain that works differently from the average or ‘neurotypical’ person. This can include people with dyslexia, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or Tourette’s syndrome.
Riley has Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of autism that can include difficulties with interacting socially and managing emotions.
Riley said, “I was working in a bakery warehouse before and it was a good job. But I wanted to find a place where I could build a career, rather than just have a job. CX Services have offered me that opportunity, and I’m excited about continuing to grow my skills in digital printing.”
CX Services provides services including direct mail, order fulfilment and call centre outsourcing. Riley’s role as digital print apprentice involves managing the day-to-day running of the digital print machines and related equipment, including a guillotine for cutting card and paper and a folding machine. He also helps with paperwork for Royal Mail items being dispatched.
John Lamont, technical services director at CX Services, added, “Riley is an asset to the organisation. His work ethic is outstanding. He puts 100% effort into everything he does. He has a great personality and is a fantastic team member. Riley knows what he’s doing and just gets on with it. He likes to be busy and works quite independently, without supervision.”
CX Services MD Greg Girard said about 5% of UK businesses were prepared to talk about neurodivergence. But only about 1% of them were prepared to do something about it.
“If you, like us, are in that 5% that talk about neurodivergence, then you are winning,” Mr Girard added. “If you are also like us and in the 1% that are doing something about it, then even better. But if you’re in the 95% who are in the wilderness and haven’t considered the neurodivergent talent pool, then please rethink your strategies.”
To support Riley, the company is working with Jane Stratton, a cognitive learning expert who specialises in supporting neurodivergent learners. She meets Riley once a week to help him develop his cognitive skills.
Alongside his work at CX Services, Riley is studying a SVQ in digital print as part of his Modern Apprenticeship and this also involves completing specific tasks.
