- Workshop inspires Birmingham employers
- Employ ability launches in the West Midlands and South Yorkshire
- Leeds and Manchester employees learn How to Employ ability
- Leeds Dining with a Difference – a success
- Employ ability pilot launch event
“How to Employ ability” workshops and events have inspired employers to think and act differently about employing disabled people and people with long term health conditions.
Workshop inspires Birmingham employers
27 May 2008
It was the turn of Birmingham employers to get the How to Employ ability experience at the latest workshop on 13 May at the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce.
Highlights of the morning included the very popular disability challenge quiz and the chance for delegates to hear about the real-life experiences of employers who actively recruit disabled people.
One such business is Birmingham-based Shelforce, whose workforce is 75 per cent disabled. General manager Andrew Fellowes stressed to delegates that the commercial benefits of recruiting disabled candidates were clear; “Our people are exceptional. 75 per cent of them are disabled, but we concentrate on their abilities. Productivity increased by 29 per cent this year and our profitability improved as a result, proof for me of just how motivated our staff are.”
Andrew was accompanied by Paul Collen, who – supported through the Jobcentre Plus Workstep programme – joined Shelforce as a production worker in 2004. Paul described to delegates how work has given him back his confidence – “I’ve been here for four years now and it’s been a wonderful time. Working here has helped me tremendously, not only in my career but personally as well. It’s fantastic.”
Delegates also received practical, easy to digest guidance packs, including material form the Employers Forum on Disability and ShiFT.
The testimonies were just right and they reflected the sincerity of purpose with which some employers are pursuing this agenda. I look forward to working with you and your Department in advancing the aims and objectives around employability.
Dr Christopher A Johnson, Business Management Consultant and member of the Black Business Association
Employ ability launches in the West Midlands and South Yorkshire
27 March 2008
Employers in the West Midlands and South Yorkshire are being urged to challenge their assumptions about disabled people in the workplace.
Minister for Disabled People Anne McGuire, launched Employ ability at the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce on 27 March 2008. The informal breakfast event was an opportunity for open discussion on some of the key challenges employers face in this area and what works best in helping them to overcome them.
Attendees included Jerry Blackett, Chief Executive of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Arun Bajaj, Chairman of the Institute of Asian Businesses.
Leeds and Manchester employees learn How to Employ ability
17 December 2007
HR professionals and line managers from businesses in Leeds and Manchester were the first to be inspired by the “How to Employ ability” workshops in November.
Theresa Carter, human resources advisor at Day International says “Disabled people have a valuable place in the work environment. Personally, what I’d like to do in my organisation is get a greater understanding of the employees who have become disabled whilst in our employment so that we can give them the support they may need.”
Delegates at the events were able to listen to the benefits of employing disabled people first hand. Attending the workshops were Sarah Haller, a solicitor from Chadwick Lawrence solicitors, Sheena Watts, a nursery assistant from Happy Times Day Nursery and Sarah Whitely, a domestic worker from Epworth Grange care home. Along with their colleagues, they shared their experiences and dispelled misconceptions.
You can read more about the experiences of Sarah Haller, Sheena Watts and Sarah Whitely real life stories.
John Knox, Divisional Resources Manager at West Yorkshire Joint Services
Leeds Dining with a Difference – a success
31 October 2007
Managing directors and senior executives from Leeds businesses enjoyed an interesting evening when they attended an Employ ability Dining with a Difference event at Oulton Hall, Leeds on 31 October. The event, run by the Employ ability campaign team and hosted by three of Britain’s leading authorities on diversity and disability, aimed to promote a joined-up approach to improving access to the workplace for disabled people.
Diners were asked to take an informal – and at times humorous – look at what being disabled means in today’s society and share their own experiences. There were also discussions about the barriers disabled people are up against in the workplace and finally what – as business people – attendees could do to remove them.
Local Jobcentre Plus staff and members of the Employ ability campaign team made sure that attendees were aware of the practical support available to them and encouraged them to work together.
Jon Tetley, regional delivery manager at Horizon Recruitment
Employ ability pilot launch event
The Employ ability pilot was launched by Ministers at a series of private breakfast briefings on 5 September 2007 in Manchester and Leeds.
People attending – including local employers and stakeholders – had an opportunity to share their knowledge with a range of organisations.
Employers and disabled employees from local businesses presented real life stories, providing guests with a chance to engage and ask questions about their experiences in the workplace.
