An event aimed at linking North Wales businesses up with potential employees who are autistic is to be held this Friday.

The Autism: Future Employment conference will take place on Friday, January 31 at Ty Pawb on Market Street in Wrexham. It has been organised by a team led by Wrexham Glyndwr University lecturer Steve Jarvis, who also helped to put on last year’s inaugural conference.

He said: “The aim of the conferences is to link employers up with potential employees, and to help encourage them to look at ways they can work with people who are autistic – and boost their companies as a result.

“Only last week, I heard the story of someone who came along to last year’s conference in the hope of finding a job, who spoke with a local charity, secured a work placement and now is in a full-time role as a result.

“That connection between potential employee and future employer is what this conference is all about – and what our expert speakers and panel will be examining at this week’s event.”

A film from last year’s event can be seen here: https://youtu.be/IMkASe7CR5c

Among the speakers at this year’s conference are Daniel Jones, a leading YouTuber; Rhi Lloyd-Williams, a theatre MD, writer, essayist and blogger; James and April, Robot Wars competitors and the co-founders of Glitterbomb; and Andrew Edwards, an author whose life story has been featured on Radio Four and who spent many years working for Manchester United TV.

Each speaker will give a keynote address, and many will also join an afternoon panel, led by Mike Corcoran, a coach on the Business Wales

Accelerated Growth programme. As with last year’s panels, the discussion will centre around people’s experiences of employment – and how employers can benefit from employing people with autism.

Steve added: “At last year’s event, there where what you could almost describe as lightbulb moments for some employers – moments where they realised the benefit that a conference like this can offer as panel members discussed the world of work. We’ve invited major employers from across the region once more this Friday – and I’m sure they can expect similar insights from our panel once more this year.

“We’ve also got a wide range of trade stalls, charities and exhibitors taking part throughout the day – and we will be welcoming the virtual Autism tour bus, which is designed to give people an experience of what a sensory overload is like and help further their understanding of the challenges people on the autism spectrum face.”

To find out more about the event – or to book a place – visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/autism-future-employment-conference-2020-tickets-71251325633