About E2C

The Employability and Employment Centre (E2C) is the first autism-focused centre that offers services to enable people with autism to perform successfully in the workplace. It also offers services for employers who are interested in hiring people with autism in their companies.

 

E2C's Mission

E2C aims to equip adults with autism with employability skills through training and place them in suitable jobs with appropriate job support.

 

It has been proven that with the right training, placement, and support, people with autism can work and be productive.

With training and support from E2C, people with autism can:

  • Find employment and thrive in areas that match their strengths and interests.
  • Earn a monthly salary and contribute to society.
  • Have access to training and support from job coaches who can coach them in the skills that match their learning style and are meaningful to them

 

 

Introduction to the E2C Programme

 

The E2C Programme

Clients coming into the E2C programme will go through a structured 5-stage process which enables us to assess their suitability.  The programme builds on the clients’ strengths and interests and identifies learning needs to help us match them to a suitable job. With the training and support provided in our programme, we increase the potential for clients to be successfully employed.

Click to view step 1 Click to view step 2 Click to view step 3 Click to view step 4 Click to view step 5
1

Pre-assessment  

The first step is to meet with an E2C case manager, who will share more about the E2C programme and answer any questions. This will help determine if the programme is suitable for you (the client) or your child/ward with autism. If it is found to be a good match, an appointment will be made for an in-depth assessment.

Both client and parent(s)/guardian(s) must be present for this meeting.

Return to Programme Steps

2

Assessment  

Our E2C case manager will guide the client through a series of assessments to determine each client’s unique strengths, interests and learning needs. These assessments are customised for each individual and include direct 1:1 assessments, assessments in authentic worksites, and interest surveys. Information will also be gathered from other parties who are close to the client, such as the family, schools, medical health professionals and past employers. This information will be treated as confidential and used strictly in the interests of the client.

E2C takes into account both “hard skills” and “soft skills” in these assessments.

  • “Hard skills” refer to knowledge and techniques that are used on the job, like computer skills, baking, or cleaning.
  • “Soft skills” are equally important, and refer to more personal skills like communication and interpersonal skills, grooming and dressing, focus, stamina and speed.

Our case manager will share some of his/her findings and recommendations in the post-assessment debrief. He/She will recommend the key hard and soft skills areas where training is needed, appropriate strategies to and structures to teach the client, as well as suitable training areas with the highest chances of success. The family will also receive a summary report.

In the course of E2C’s assessment, we may seek more information about the client from parties such as family, schools, medical health professionals and past employers.

Return to Programme Steps

3

Training  

The client will begin vocational training in areas that are best suited to his or her strengths, interests and needs. These areas will be identified beforehand, and mutually agreed upon, based on the outcomes of E2C’s assessment.

E2C job coaches use autism-friendly strategies to train the client in both hard and soft skills. The length of the training depends on the progress of the client in the key skills identified.

The client will proceed to job placement when he or she has reached the necessary levels of skills and independence.

The training of individual clients may take between 10 to 40 weeks before they are recommended for job placement. However, the duration of training varies according to the individual’s level of skills and the need for support.

Return to Programme Steps

4

Placement  

Clients will be matched to jobs when they are ready for work. Job coaches will be there to support and guide the client at every step of the employment process: from the application and interview stages to the explanation of the company’s policies and the signing of the contract.

E2C will also engage the client’s supervisors and colleagues on how to work together with the client.

Return to Programme Steps

5

Support  

Our E2C job coaches will provide on-site support at the client’s workplace. Their role is to coach the client in meeting the expectations of the job and to act as an advocate and intermediary between the client and his or her colleagues.

The level of support provided by the job coach will vary depending on the client’s needs. E2C is committed to providing the client with the long-term support that he or she needs to maintain employment.

Return to Programme Steps

 

Sign up for E2C Programme

Sign up for the E2C Programme using the Client Request Form below.

 

Client Request Form

 

For Employers

People with autism have their niches and preferences for certain types of jobs, which can be matched to employment opportunities. Some of the most common jobs are cleaning, F&B, stocking, and office work. However, there are other jobs that people with autism can perform. Many people with autism also have special talents in areas such as art, music, computing, and Maths.

With training and support, employers of people with autism can:

  • Gain employees who are focused on getting the job done according to the standards stated by your company.
  • Gain employees who enjoy and do well in aspects of the job that others consider “repetitive” or “boring”.
  • Gain employees who are loyal to the company, as people with autism are more likely to stay on a job once they are comfortable and know what to expect from the work and social environment.

 

  • routine tasks (both basic and complex)
  • tasks where attention to detail and accuracy is required (e.g. research work, data entry, word processing)
  • tasks where there is a clear procedure to follow (e.g. sorting incoming and outgoing mail, filing, archiving, library work, baking, or packing)
  • highly structured tasks with a right and a wrong way of doing something (e.g. software testing, data entry)
  • tasks involving numbers and facts (e.g. maintaining accounting ledgers, cataloguing)

We assign well-qualified job coaches to assist your employee at NO cost to the employer. Our coaches will:

  • Learn the job duties herself/himself and assist in teaching them to the employee.
  • Ensure that your job requirements are met (quality, quantity, safety, time limits, etc.)
  • Teach your employees the rules and policies.
  • Support employees in gaining social acceptance among his/her coworkers.
  • As needed, educate managers and coworkers about autism.
  • As needed, act as a mediator for you, coworkers, the employee, and their families.
  • Phase out as your employee gains independence over time.

  • Have a reliable workforce (especially when the work is routine)
  • Be a model of social inclusion
  • Have job training and support provided by E2C at no extra cost to the employer
  • Qualify for the Special Employment Credit (SEC)
  • E2C can tap on the Open Door Fund (ODF) which provides financial support to employers to redesign jobs, modify workplaces and/or train their special needs employees

 

 

Clients' Testimonials

After a successful job matching, our clients are often kind enough to share some feedback on our working relationship. Here are a few appreciated remarks.

 

Marcus

My case managers and coaches are patient with me and they can understand what I want to express. They show me how to carry out my tasks without being too harsh or critical. I enjoyed coming to work because it feels like a new phase of my life has begun, and I have this strong urge to learn as much as possible.

Marcus
has been working at Starbucks as a Barista.
Andrew Tham

I do not need to rely on my parents for pocket money as I have an income now.

Andrew Tham
as been working at MOHH.
Wei Qun

At the workplace, my co-workers/supervisors help support me by helping me when I am not sure. For this year, I have set the goal of trying to do more credit card scanning, and try different sets of account types with high productivity.

Wei Qun
has been working at UOB.
Chris

I can understand after my coaches have briefed me with the necessary information about my work. It will be simple for me to understand properly when I have many visual instructions in the file as reference, especially the notes which I have written down with my coach.

Chris
has been working at UOB.
Li Rui

My coach helps provide step-by-step visuals for me. She also practises with me during training with clear instructions. At Starbucks, my co-workers and supervisor correct and remind me of my negative behaviour. I feel that it is helpful to me.

Li Rui
has been working at Starbucks.
Sin Wei

Being able to come to work allows me a sense of “normality” and financial independence. It is meaningful to help the teachers with the job of educating special needs students in science. They deserve to be science literate just like the rest of us.

Sin Wei
has been working at Pathlight School as a Science Lab Assistant.
Christopher

I buy food and drinks with my salary. I save the extra remaining money. I do not need to take money from my parents anymore because I am earning my own money.

Christopher
has been working as a Pathlight School Cleaning Crew.
Zen

At the workplace, my supervisors and co-workers have birthday celebrations and special occasions that we celebrate together, eat good food and also to interact with one another. Every year we have the celebration at Christmas and at that time during Christmas, I became Santa Claus ... and there were lots of presents and food.

Zen
has been working at UOB.
Hardy

The E2C coaches are friendly and support me by showing me the steps. They practise with me and guide me to follow visuals. I feel motivated to come to work because I get to receive a salary every month.

Hardy
has been working at Starbucks.
Hian Koon

For my job, I ensure all IT equipment is maintained and any breakdown is rectified as soon as possible. I also help to check and maintain the stock of printer toners. This makes end users satisfied and happy. This makes me happy too.

Hian Koon
has been working at Pathlight School.
Kuan Min

The E2C services are helpful as my case manager not only helped identify specific job options, but also negotiated terms on my behalf, helped spread autism awareness to my workplace supervisors, and gave helpful advice about sundry job-related issues.

Kuan Min
has been working at MOHH.

Contact Us

Employability & Employment Centre (E2C)
by Autism Resource Centre (Singapore)

20, Lengkok Bahru
The Enabling Village #01-08

Singapore 159053

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

+65 6592 0426