- Scholarships to support Western
Australians with autism to enter the Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
workforce
- Up to $2,500 for students to
undertake training at Certificate IV or Diploma levels
- Applies to studies in the
fields of Information Technology (IT), programming, software development and
cybersecurity
The latest round of Cook Labor Government-funded Autism Academy for
Software Quality Assurance (AASQA) scholarships, which provide support to Western
Australians with autism to enter the workforce, is now open.
The 2025 scholarships will provide up to $2,500 to students on the autism spectrum to undertake training in eligible courses, aimed at gaining employment in the fields of Information Technology (IT), programming, software development or cybersecurity.
Introduced
in 2017, the scholarships have supported 34 Western Australians with autism to
learn valuable work skills through vocational education and training.
More
than $60,000 in scholarships have been provided since the program commenced.
Hosted
by Curtin University, AASQA works together with the Autism Association of
Western Australia and the Department of Training and Workforce Development to
deliver the scholarship program, aimed at harnessing the unique skills of
people with autism or related conditions.
AASQA is
an Australian social innovation initiative harnessing the talents of people
with autism through training, education and mentoring programs and creating
pathways to long-term employment in the IT industry.
To apply
or find out more about the scholarships, visit: www.wa.gov.au/service/education-and-training/vocational-education/vocational-education-and-training-scholarships
The 2025
scholarship round closes on 13 December 2024.
Comments attributed to Minister Assisting the Minister
for Training and Workforce Development Hannah Beazley:
"The Cook Labor Government is thrilled to
be offering Western Australians on the autism spectrum this opportunity to be
supported to participate in vocational education and training.
"Our workplaces are better and most
effective when they reflect the diversity of our community.
"Individuals with autism often bring unique
and valuable skills to the workplace, which may include strong attention to
detail, appreciation of predictability and capacity to focus.
"These skills are valuable to the ICT
industry, particularly for software development, testing and cybersecurity.
"These scholarships highlight the important role training has in
changing people's lives, while addressing the skills needs of our State and the
individuals who shape it."
