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DXC Dandelion Program Extends to Canberra with University Partnerships

Announcement posted by Porter Novelli 13 Jul 2017

The DXC Dandelion Work Experience Program today announced The Australian National University (ANU), University of Canberra (UC) and Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) have joined DXC Technology to launch the program in Australia’s capital city. 

First piloted in Adelaide in 2014, the DXC Dandelion program has been successfully assisting people on the autistic spectrum to build IT careers in partnership with the Australian Department of Defence, the Department of Human Services and the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.  

The goal of the DXC Dandelion Work Experience Program is to provide higher education students with the opportunity to take part in technical work experience and improve their confidence, technical and team working skills to increase their employability. 

“The DXC Dandelion Work Experience Program allows us to share learning from our employment program with higher education students with autism, giving them the opportunity to improve a range of skills, whilst enhancing their employability,” said Seelan Nayagam, Managing Director, DXC Technology Australia & New Zealand. “The program combines the use of robotics with commercial IT industry teaching and methods to help primary school students who are on the autistic spectrum with educational and engagement development. We have seen that robotics successfully assists with some social and educational needs.” 

Professor Marnie Hughes-Warrington, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Australian National University, said ANU was delighted to be a part of the program.   

“The Dandelion Work Experience Program provides our students who are on the autistic spectrum with valuable work experience in a real project environment. 

“ANU has a proud tradition of supporting students on the autistic spectrum to achieve their full potential. ANU is pleased to work with the Dandelion Work Experience Program to provide more opportunities for our students.” 

Professor Nick Klomp, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), University of Canberra said: “The Dandelion Work Experience Program offers a unique, transformational experience to our students on the autistic spectrum. 

“They get to learn hands-on what it’s like to work in a real IT project, as well as having access to opportunities to gain long term employment. We are thrilled for UC to take part in the program.” 

Leanne Cover, Chief Operating Officer, Canberra Institute of Technology said: “The Dandelion Work Experience Program provides our students with valuable, meaningful work experience in a real project environment – in the IT industry sector. It also leads to opportunities for our students to gain long term employment.” 

Michael Fieldhouse, Program Executive, DXC Dandelion outlines: “The DXC Dandelion Work Experience program allows DXC to reach further into the talent pool, and it has a secondary benefit that allows primary school students on the autistic spectrum to project forward to want IT careers in the future through their interaction with higher education students on the spectrum.” 

-ENDS-
 
About DXC Technology  
DXC Technology (DXC: NYSE) is the world’s leading independent, end-to-end IT services company, helping clients harness the power of innovation to thrive on change. Created by the merger of CSC and the Enterprise Services business of Hewlett Packard Enterprise, DXC Technology serves nearly 6,000 private and public sector clients across 70 countries. The company’s technology independence, global talent and extensive partner network combine to deliver powerful next-generation IT services and solutions. DXC Technology is recognized among the best corporate citizens globally. For more information, visit www.dxc.technology. 

Contacts  
Victoria Ancell, Senior Account Manager, Porter Novelli Sydney - vancell@porternovelli.com.au