DXC Dandelion is one of our CSR projects. The program aims to identify and attract people on the autistic spectrum and give them the opportunity to start a fulfilling career in the IT field. Neurodiverse individuals may be undervalued in the job market for many and varied reasons. Following the company's values, it was important for us at DXC to give these people a chance to successfully integrate into the work environment. We set out to showcase their strengths, which largely match the requirements for some of the roles we've been developing for many years in the company, and in the industry, with the hope that other companies will follow our lead.

The program supports people on the autism spectrum and neurodiverse members of our society who want to start a career in IT. Additionally, the program aims to reach the company‘s employees and increase their awareness of equality and accessibility in the workplace. We reach the target groups through targeted internal and external communication campaigns, and thanks to our partners who help us with the selection and recruitment of participants.

The DXC Dandelion program was launched in Bulgaria in early 2023, nearly 10 years after it was founded in Australia in 2014. Its duration is two years for each cohort of participants, with the possibility for them to remain in the company after the successful completion of this period. During the two years, we provide an environment that supports and fosters the talents and skills of the neurodiverse participants and helps them to lay the foundations of a successful IT career with us.

• Selection – This stage is often extremely stressful for people on the spectrum, so the selection process we follow lasts for five consecutive days, during which we create the most conducive environment possible in which candidates feel at ease and can show their skills. We follow a format that allows applicants to demonstrate their ability and motivation to study and work. • Work orientation - At this stage, we begin to actively engage the participants in introductory training. We work towards them getting to know the company and its working model; improving soft skills with the help of counselors; upgrading and developing technical skills with the help of mentors. • Building a career profile – This stage focuses on identifying strengths and key skills that distinguish each participant in order to increase their self-confidence and determination. By continuing to work with psychologists and mentors, participants can take advantage of various opportunities, e.g. technical skills certification. After successfully completing the program, participants can continue their career development with the necessary knowledge, skills and tools.

We have already welcomed five amazing colleagues: two junior application developers and three junior software testers in March 2023. We have well-trained volunteers working closely with them. We prepared a second wave and three new colleagues already started with us in December 2023. The positive results we see are not measured by numbers. In the participants of the program, we see growing confidence, improving social skills, improving abilities to manage situations that until recently put them under stress. In our employees, we see a sense of pride and a growing interest in the topic of equality and accessibility in the workplace. It is also important that we see a growing interest from the media, which has repeatedly covered the program and drawn public attention to the topic.