Xceptional – Building a more diverse workforce
Xceptional Academy (the Academy) is a social enterprise that supported the former Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy (CHDE) staff to:
- tap into the unique abilities of neurodivergent workers
- create a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
Opportunity
The former CHDE identified an opportunity to support the objectives of the Queensland’s Disability Plan 2022–27.
CHDE wanted an employment program to improve the department’s knowledge and understanding of how to best attract and retain people who are neurodiverse.
Solution
The Academy responded to CHDE’s Request for Quote (RfQ) and with their expertise in neurodiversity employment and support, successfully demonstrated their capability to deliver on the scope of works.
The social enterprise also created their neurodiversity inclusion training to be delivered online to CHDE staff to help build their awareness of neurodiversity inclusion in the workplace.
The training:
- builds the capability of staff to better understand, examine, and challenge existing perceptions of, neurodiversity,
- provides insights into environmental and sensory sensitives, using an interactive simulation activity,
- dives into the business advantages of employing a neurodiverse employee by highlighting their unique skill sets,
- equips individuals with practical strategies for working with neurodiverse people, and
- proposes practical adjustments to existing recruitment processes to be enable the department to be better positioned to recruit from this highly skilled market.
Outcome
The Academy delivered their neurodiversity inclusion training to more than 60 CHDE staff and increased their capability to employ, manage and work with neurodivergent workers.
According to a CHDE representative, 'the training course ensured staff had a deeper understanding of neurodiversity and the confidence to support a more inclusive and diverse workplace.'
The training also resulted in employment for a neurodivergent person, enabling the employee to get invaluable work experience within the department.
The contract with the Academy also enabled CHDE to deliver on the Queensland Procurement Policy 2023 commitment to increase spend with a genuine, quality social enterprise.
This partnership between the Academy and CHDE is just 1 example of how social procurement can play a key role in delivering on your business requirements, while also advancing employment opportunities to support the economic participation of Queenslanders who face a disproportionate number of barriers.
More information
To learn how your next procurement activity can support people from disadvantaged or marginalised backgrounds or procurement from social enterprises, email socialprocurement@epw.qld.gov.au.
To find out more about Queensland Government social targets and commitments and social procurement, visit: