CX Services champions neurodiversity after hiring “outstanding” apprentice

The apprentice, 20-year-old Riley Macrae-Duffy, has been an “outstanding” asset to the firm since joining, and an example of just how much both worker and employer stand to gain from a supportive working environment, according to Greg Girard, CX Services’ managing director.

“It’s all down to Riley,” he told Printweek.

“When we first met him, he was quite shy, but was amazingly enthusiastic when you got him going – you could just tell he was a really nice chap.”

As digital print apprentice, Macrae-Duffy helps manage the day-to-day running of the firm’s Xerox Versant digital presses – a 4100, 2100 and 180 – guillotine, and folder, also helping with administration for Royal Mail despatch.

“I was working in a bakery warehouse before, and it was a good job,” said Macrae-Duffy.

“But I wanted to find a place where I could build a career, rather than just have a job. CX Services have offered me that opportunity, and I’m excited about continuing to grow my skills in digital printing.”

Macrae-Duffy’s Asperger’s Syndrome places him on the autism spectrum, which typically makes it more difficult for those with the disorder to understand social cues and nonverbal communication; this makes him neurodivergent, meaning that he has a brain that works differently from the average ‘neurotypical’ person. 

Neurodivegence can also include disorders such as dyslexia, ADHD, or Tourette’s, and will often fall under being a protected characteristic under the Equality Act. Around 15% of the UK population are neurodivergent.

Like any disability, or anyone at all, neurodivergent people just need a little support, Girard said.

“We’ve all got our quirks, and areas where we need support. There are so many people in Riley’s position that just need to be understood and brought in [to the fold].

“I want to spread the word – I’d love for people to understand. If just two or three businesses took in people with disabilities and supported them in the right way, their contribution to society would be tenfold.

“We knew from the start it would be a different appointment, but we were very lucky, and found Jane Stratton, a tutor and cognitive learning specialist. She specialises in this area, and can help neurodivergent people bring up their skillsets in areas where they might need help,” Girard said.

“Riley’s in the 97% percentile for certain areas [of intellect] – and I’m talking globally – but there are obviously certain things of a social nature that he has more difficulty with. And with just an hour a week, she’s brought on Riley in an unbelievable way.”

Girard and the CX Services team have introduced Stratton to local schools, who are “falling over themselves” to get her in, because there is so little budget – a day’s training, he said – in schools for ordinary teachers to learn how to help neurodiverse pupils.

Macrae-Duffy is enormously dedicated to his job, Girard added, and has a natural knack for printing’s process-led workstyle.

“You just know he’s 100% dedicated. It’s a focused job, printing. You just know that when he’s using the guillotine, he will use it 99 times out of 100 exactly the way it’s supposed to be done – he will do tasks to the letter.”

“Riley is an asset to the organisation,” added John Lamont, technical services director at CX Services.

“His work ethic is outstanding. He has a great personality and is a fantastic team member. Riley knows what he’s doing and just gets on with it. He likes to be busy and works quite independently, without supervision.”

CX Services employs around 20 permanent staff at its Dunoon site.