Nagarro has partnered with Action for Autism, a pioneering organisation for Autism Spectrum Disorder in South Asia, and Atypical Advantage, India’s largest inclusive platform for the employment of Persons with Disabilities (PwD), to launch TestingPro in India. This collaboration has been made possible by Nasscom’s Diversity and Inclusion initiative and will significantly contribute to the IT industry by creating more job opportunities and promoting inclusivity.
TestingPro trains people with autism and similar challenges to become software testers, prepare them for the job market and allows them to offer their unique skills to businesses. The programme also has a presence in Austria and has won awards such as the ‘Constantinus Award’, Austria’s consulting and IT prize, and the ‘eAward’ for IT and business.
The collaborative efforts of several companies have resulted in the creation of this program. Action for Autism is focused on sourcing, screening and supporting the candidates’ needs for this training, while Atypical Advantage is responsible for placements and end-to-end support to corporates. Nagarro, as the primary training provider, is dedicated to skill development and offers software testing certifications to participants. Additionally, NASSCOM’s Diversity and Inclusion initiative will play a crucial role in sharing program insights and best practices related to the program with the broader industry, promoting awareness and understanding of autism in the workplace.
Merry Barua, Founder, Action for Autism said, “Despite a recent surge in awareness about autism, autistic individuals continue to struggle to gain meaningful employment. Most remain unemployed or underemployed. Through this initiative, we aim to help people with autism gain financial independence and a sense of purpose, improve their self-identity, and support them in becoming contributing members of the community.”
Vineet Saraiwala, Founder and CEO, Atypical Advantage said, “Corporates need to create a livelihood for persons on the autism spectrum by investing in skilling and training and it is incredible to see Nagarro taking this pioneering step by bringing their award-winning programme to India.”
Shruti Tandon, Managing Director – People Enablement, and Custodian of DE&I, Nagarro said, “TestingPro is not just a platform for training individuals with autism and similar challenges to become skilled software testers, it is a testament to the power of inclusive innovation. At Nagarro, we have always been CARING and believe that every individual has unique talents and abilities. TestingPro is helping us tap into this incredible potential while making a positive impact on society.”
Leenika Khattar, Nasscom’s Director of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging believes that this is a terrific start to a dynamic shift in the workplace inclusion space, where businesses are slowly but surely opening their eyes to the unique possibilities for individuals who are neurodivergent.
