“Specialisterne has an incredible track record of supplying neurodivergent adults with the training they need to obtain jobs that match their potential. The Hg Foundation is excited to help support their expansion into the US, so they may provide more of our community the tools required to achieve more fulfilling careers across the STEM ecosystem.”
– Robert Citrino, Trustee of The Hg Foundation and an Investor at Hg in New York
“We are deeply grateful to The Hg Foundation for enabling Specialisterne to bring our Academy program to the U.S. Over 20 years of operations around the globe, Specialisterne has developed innovative models for neurodiversity employment, which we evaluate and adapt to each unique market. We are eager to partner with The Hg Foundation as we launch our Academy to serve unemployed and underemployed neurodivergent Americans.”
– Francesc Sistach, CEO of Specialisterne Global and Specialisterne USA
The Hg Foundation partnership with Specialisterne USA supports unemployed neurodivergent adults to train for and secure jobs in Tech
In the US, 80% of autistic adults are either unemployed or underemployed and 100,000 youth on the autism spectrum turn 18 each year. Among this population, 30% live in a household with income below the federal poverty level and 25% receive no support services after high school. Specialisterne is an international non-profit transforming the employment landscape for neurodivergent individuals. Founded in 2004, its global reach includes operations in 26 countries, engaging more than 500 public and private sector employers and supporting over 10,000 individuals into full-time, skill-aligned employment.
With The Hg Foundation’s grant of $1.1 million over the next 3 years, Specialisterne will be launching its Academy model in the USA for the first time. Specialisterne runs Academy programs in Denmark, Spain, Brazil and Italy where an average of 75% of its graduates secure employment within 3 months. The Academy is an 8-week full-time course which provides technical training for in-demand job pathways as well as occupational skills and recruitment process support. Importantly, Specialisterne also provides training to employers to make workplaces more neuroinclusive.
The Hg Foundation is fully seed-funding the set up and launch of the Academy in the US as well as support from an independent evaluator to share feedback on pilot delivery and outcomes. Between now and 2027, the Academy will train 140 learners, and the key marker of success will be the number of individuals securing employment and an uplift in their income after the program.
About The HG Foundation
The Hg Foundation’s vision is that the tech workforce of the future harnesses the talents of all, regardless of background. It does this by supporting education and employment-based programs across the UK, USA and Europe where it can demonstrate measurable, long-term and scalable impact and make a difference to those that need it most. To date it has committed $29m to programs that will reach over 50,000 young people and adults from under-represented backgrounds. The Foundation’s work is solely funded by Hg – a leading investor in European and transatlantic software and services businesses. The Hg Foundation is registered Charity no. 1189216.
Find out more at https://www.thehgfoundation.com/
