New funding boost for college autism project
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Cantraybridge College, which caters for people with additional needs, received £239,028 for its Autistic Enterprisers initiative from the Social Economy Growth Fund.
The award will be used to train 84 people in how to identify business ideas, and will help them set up their own supported enterprises.
The college’s chief executive Jenny Liddell said: “Autistic Enterprisers is no ordinary business education programme.
“It combines enterprise education with personal support to assist individuals in overcoming both professional and personal barriers to becoming self-employed.
“It also offers options for a range of continuing support once a new business is launched.”
The programme is predicted to create 18 new businesses by 2020.
Autistic Enterprisers is open to any adult on the autistic spectrum who lives in the Highland area.
As part of the programme, Cantraybridge is currently in the process of recruiting an enterprise trainer and autism counsellor, who will travel throughout the region to offer individual support.
The Scottish Government’s communities secretary Aileen Campbell said: “The Social Economy Growth Fund enables organisations to design and deliver community-led solutions to overcome poverty, disadvantage and inequalities – which is a key principle of our Fairer Scotland Action Plan.
“We are encouraging councils and third sector partners to develop local strategies that advance the social enterprise sector in every part of Scotland.”
Research findings from the programme will be presented to the Scottish Government, and similar projects could be opened nationally.
