E3 Employment Program
Details
Northern Alberta
The Idea
Our E3 Employment program works with autistic community members and local businesses to help achieve employment for autistic adults. While this project is ongoing and underway, it would be improved by a staff member that helps with systems navigation for autistic individuals that are enrolled in our program. Ensuring that they receive wraparound supports such as paycheck and workplace navigation skills, and any other services (housing supports, mental health supports) they may need to help them become fully independent.
The E3 program is part of a larger grant that Autism Alberta received call Seamless supports. We are a HUB of this grant and work with partners across the province - Autism Society of the RMWB (Fort McMurray), Catalyst (sacla) in Lethbridge, EPSS(Employment Placement and Support Services) Red Deer, Spectrum Advantage in Calgary are our partners. Here are the links to the larger program https://autismalberta.ca/the-seamless-support-project/
We have worked with Global Shapers https://www.globalshapers.org/homean organization that does free financial literacy teaching and those are the videos on the ASA site.
One of the greatest things that we can add into any grant in our own agency is the wrap around services! If a member is in E3, they get supports in all other areas from our internal team. Or vice versa, we can utilize the skills and knowledge of our E3 team to support individuals even if they are not registered in that program
We have also worked directly with High Schools such as Center High and LY Cairns to foster easy transitions into adult employment programming
Here are the organizations that sit on the Job Developer Committee (aka Community of Practice) with us, where we met monthly to discuss issues, tips, strategies, related to our work, as well as job fairs:
Chrysalis
Selections
MCHB
Goodwill
Autism Alberta
Employabilities
Prospect
Gateway
WJS Canada/Taproot Community Services
Centre for Autism Services Alberta
Who Will Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this initiative are autistic adults enrolled in Autism Edmonton's E3 Employment Program. These individuals face disproportionately high barriers to both entering and sustaining employment. While traditional job readiness programs often end once a placement is secured, our participants require ongoing wraparound supports to ensure long-term stability and independence. Many experience challenges with financial literacy. They are more likely than their non-autistic peers to experience poverty, and mental health challenges. By addressing these structural barriers, we can provide them with the tools needed to achieve financial independence and security.
Families and caregivers also benefit. They often carry the financial and emotional weight of autistic adults in their care. Employers and the workforce benefit from reduced turnover, increased workplace diversity, and the unique strengths autistic employees bring. By ensuring that participants are supported, this project helps employers retain skills, motivate staff, and builds a stronger employer-employee relationship.
The broader Edmonton community benefits with a more inclusive workforce.
This project specifically benefits autistic adults who may also belong to other marginalized groups, including women, 2slgbtqia, indigenous and racialized people, and newcomers.