Firm gets Gold Star honours for going extra mile
A Blairgowrie business was named‘Gold Star’employer of the month for August.
Janitorial supplies specialist Co-An UK Ltd was nominated for the new business awards scheme being run by Perth and Kinross Council.
‘Gold Star Employer’status is aimed at forward-thinking firms who are deemed to be going that extra mile to employ local people who face significant barriers to employment.
This includes young jobseekers, long-term unemployed, and those with varying disabilities where reasonable adjustment may be required.
The awards are being supported by the Perth and Kinross Employment Connections, Perth and Kinross Employability Network, Federation of Small Businesses, Perthshire Chamber of Commerce and the Blairie’s sister paper, the Perthshire Advertiser.
Described by judges as“an inclusive company that embraces diversity”and one of the first companies to work with the PKC Employment Support Team, the Railway Road-based outfit has made a number of reasonable adjustments to support both Allison Douglas and Euan McNab – who have both worked with the company for 14 years.
This includes allocating duties in line with individuals skills and abilities and offering hours to suit. In the case of both employees, this means each working a shorter working week.
Co-An UK Ltd. director Jackie MacIntyre explained:“Allison and Euan are both experienced in their roles, each brings their own qualities and they are very much part of the Co-An team.
“Both began at Co-An doing work experience and, after learning skills and demonstrating their ability to undertake their roles to the required standard, they were then offered paid employment.”