Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Firms encouraged to hire disabled people
Eventprovidesinfo for businesses
We not only enable disabled people to gain and sustain employment, but also to thrive at work
Monklands businesses were among more than 30 represented at a “celebrating diversity at work” day run by North Lanarkshire Council – aiming to encourage firms to follow the authority’s lead in becoming a disability confident employer.
North Lanarkshire is one of only two Scottish councils to have achieved the accreditation, which ensures that employers can tap into the widest pool of talent available; and it also helps change attitudes.
The event – including workshops and information stalls – was organised alongside the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), and saw four employers sign up to the scheme on the day, while a further 18 have expressed an interest in working towards the status.
Council chief executive Des Murray explained why the scheme is so important and said: “As one of the biggest employers in North Lanarkshire, the council aims to be an employer of choice for disabled people, and the Disability Confident employer scheme has given us the framework to achieve this ambition.
“By providing access to employment opportunities and support, we not only enable disabled people to gain and sustain employment but also to thrive at work.”
He went on: “Disability Confident means leading by example to encourage other employ e r s to [ join the scheme] too, and this inspirational event was an important way of delivering that goal.”
Paul Harwood, a disability employment adviser team leader with the DWP, added of those showing interest in the scheme: “We are keen to support and work with these employers, helping them to sign up and discuss what they could bring to help the aim of getting 1.7 million individuals with health conditions into employment by 2023.”
Anyone who wishes to find more should contact Gail McKee by emailing mckeeg@ northlan. gov. uk or Paul Harwood at paul. harwood1@ dwp. gsi. gov.uk.