The choice of hiring autistic people has become a form of growth in technical institutions – business

“The Neuroda University Program began in the Critical Software, because in our group we need all the talent we have and have a lot of confidence in the power of diversity.” Coordinator of Critical Software Neurodever University Program, Caterina Phonseca, has a very clear opinion of the project, which started in 2021 and now developed for the new edition of World Autism Awareness Day on April 2.

Agreed in an interview given to SAPO TEK Oh Neurodever University Program It is “very challenging”, but not just for the three technology involved at the same time, as well as for all teams, not only for comprehensive autistic professionals.

The project was launched in 2021 at Critical Software, partnership with Specialistne, Danish, a Danish company with a specialty of people suffering from autism. There are already complex techworks and NOS, which are currently in the initiative in 2022 and 2024 respectively.

Program during this period More than 280 candidates have been received from potential candidates, accepting phases of training and over 30 NeurodiaAnd 15 critical software and other partners on the rest. The new edition aims to create 14 candidates, but the numbers do not mirror the depth of the initiative.

“What we have proposed in 2021 is to ensure that in the people we have hired, some of the people who are hired,” explains Caterina Phonseca. I know that most candidates are always distinctive neuro, but the idea is “creating a structural program Make sure our choice process is incorporated and removes obstacles so that the autism spectrum diagnosis shows their ability For critical, this first step can be successfully incorporated in the selection, and then successfully merge. ”

There are doubts about the possibility of getting a successful process in the star, but “We know that we want to do well, we don’t want to make an experience“Partnership with the Specialist is critical, how to consolidate autistic people, in a long choice process and many interviews.

“We want long -term employment, we make the option structurally and confirm good conditions to keep employees with us,” Caterina Phonseca explains.

The program coordinator said that all the experts who were achieved and entered 2021 were in a critical software. “They teach us the most amazing people,” he said.

This effect is also recognized at the national and international level The initiative has already received many differences. Recently the Zero Project Conference of the United Nations 2025The only Portuguese project is the only Portuguese project to be separated in this World Inquiry Forum with a good methods of meeting this month in Vienna, Austria.

Impact on the entire company and teams

Success from scratch is important to bring confidence to the initiative. In addition to the selection and training of Neurodivers experts, There is also an internal work to rebuild tainted with teams and to bet on co -workers and organization forming. Thoughts that these people are high, or always ask for a lot of support are overcome with experience. Caterina Phonseca has admitted that it has brought great value and “people have developed as a society and organization”, impacting the way they work.

“This is a practice for everyone … we are more concerned about what people need concrete to do their job,” the project coordinator accepted.

More empathy, the ability to listen to others, the respect of various thinking and the praise of praise and their work to ensure good conditions, the achievements of the project coordinator these years. And note that team managers give this opportunity to have more different teams.

Demanding technical skills

The need for the recruitment process for complex software is the point that does not retire. “Program option is not easy. We do not facilitate the integration of autistic professionals ”guarantees Caterina PhonsecaWere, and,, and,, and,, and,.. It is to say that the merit is the inclusion work on the basis. Autistic professionals must have technical skills of software development and methods, including the appropriate values, including large aptitude and English communication to the technical area.

“A company like critical software (…) has super -deifen projects for international users such as Boeing, Bombardier and large industries worldwide Our teams are very relevant to be strong, technical and non -technical valence”, He pointed out.

Critical Tech Works and NOS, followed by the appointment and training processes, are not the same and it is very positive for the neurodever university program.

The unemployment rate in neurodeverses is too high that it is 80 to 85%, And an attempt to promote inclusive recruitment programs has a great impact. Caterina Phonseca autistic individuals highlights the independence and confidence that achieve good integrity, which is also beneficial to society.

The program’s program is clear that “we are looking for people who have to work in technology to work in technology,” Caterina Phonseca said.. Candidates Profile Program Website specified This refers to the legal majority, the inspiration of the IT region, the average English level and the programming language (Java, .net, C, C, C ++ or other) or intermediate knowledge of development / safety methods / software tests.

Increase the initiative to include neurodegies

The aim is to increase the initiative of neuro-insectal companies in Portugal. “We wanted to have other companies to join the event, and the united front, not by storytelling, may have for effect and reaching“He said. They explained that they are predicting people who have no reason

“There are no competitors, when most companies are better,” he argues that the way to expand more recruitment editions per year is already thought and decentralized to more cities.

At the moment the 2025 edition is taking place, it has open days in Lisbon, Porto, Koimbra, Braga and Vaisy. Partner companies expect to train 14 candidates over five weeksAnd use at least eight people and the entire process is described on the new website developed for the program.

Critical Software promotes open days in the Koimbra and Vyas region in April 1 and 2, but the UME will take us to the Open Days of Open Days in complex techworks and Lisbon, Porto and Brags. NOS was scheduled for the afternoon of March 31 and the open days of complex tech works were scheduled in April 3, Porto and April 4, Braga.

Caterina explains Phonseca It is an opportunity to know the program for potential candidates, as well as families, to contact the program and to contact or ask questions. “These are things that seem small, these people are where they go to work and see the type of environment,” he said.

Participating in Open Days is free but you need to register.