OPENPOTENTIAL – Untapped talent, new perspectives

It is not the diagnosis that opens the door. It is their potential.

The shortage of skilled workers is one of the major challenges facing businesses. At the same time, the skills and qualifications of many people on the autism spectrum have often gone untapped in the labour market. This is not necessarily because they lack the necessary skills, but because existing application, recruitment and workplace structures are often not tailored to their needs.

This is precisely the imbalance that OPENPOTENTIAL aims to address. Sarah Eckert, a StarTH scholarship holder, is currently working on a digital B2B toolkit designed to help companies independently break down structural barriers for autistic professionals. The focus is on practical checklists, guidelines and recommendations for autism-sensitive recruitment, successful onboarding and clear and reliable communication in day-to-day working life.

Behind OPENPOTENTIAL is Sarah Eckert, a psychologist and Master’s student in Health Communication at the University of Erfurt. Through her professional experience in residential and outpatient youth care, as well as her academic research into barriers and resources relating to the employment of people with autism, she combines specialist expertise with a clear social mission.

OPENPOTENTIAL aims not only to improve individual employment opportunities, but also to raise awareness amongst companies of the diverse potential on offer and to bring about lasting change to working structures. The goal: greater participation, better working conditions and a world of work where skills count – not prejudices or rigid structures.

Stay tuned – over the coming weeks, we’ll be offering deeper insights into Sarah’s project!