Workshop is breaking down the social barriers Town enterprise’s Gold Star
A Highland Perthshire social enterprise has been praised for promoting inclusive employment.
The Workshop in Aberfeldy has become the latest recipient of a Gold Star Employer Award.
‘Gold Star’ status is aimed at firms who go the extra mile to employ local people who face significant barriers to employment. This includes young job-seekers, the long-term unemployed and those with disabilities where what’s described by organisers as “reasonable adjustment” may be required.
The awards are supported by Perth and Kinross Employment Connections, Perth and Kinross Employability Network, the Federation of Small Businesses, Perthshire Chamber of Commerce and the Perthshire Advertiser – as well as other partners.
Alice Watt, a community facilitator with the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership’s employment support team (EST), explained why The Workshop was deserving of the nomination for they way it has supported Alistair McKinlay, who has additional support needs.
She said: “I have worked with Alistair for the past few years, providing support for him in various work experiences placements.
“Following these placements Alistair was given the opportunity to carry out some work experience at The Workshop in Aberfeldy. Alistair lives in Pitlochry and following support from the EST with his independent travel, he was then assessed as being competent to use public transport and to travel independently to and from Pitlochry to attend The Workshop in Aberfeldy.
“This work experience provided Alistair with invaluable technical and practical training opportunities, whilst enabling him to work at his own pace within a supported environment. Interaction with The Workshop was also extremely beneficial for Alistair and provided him with the opportunity of working as part of a team, improving his independence and self-confidence.”
The charity has since appointed an additional support needs manager to work with the trainees, which was described as a “great asset in developing and supporting Alistair to reach his full potential and in raising his aspirations”.
Alice continued: “The Workshop was then also in the position to provide Alistair with paid employment working three days a week and he is delighted that he has managed to get a paid job and started earning his own money, not only that but he really enjoys working at the Workshop as it gives him a purpose and he feels valued.
“There are currently very few facilities offering meaningful opportunities with effective support for disadvantaged adults making the transition McKinlay The Workshop’s Paul Parmenter, PKC officers Alice Watt and Lesley English, with Alistair
into mainstream work in rural Highland Perthshire, but having worked very closely with Paul Parmenter – the workshop manager from the early stages of the project – I feel that they are meeting this need. By being in the position to offer paid employment to Alistair I feel that this has been a very positive step towards achieving
the best possible outcome for delivering and overcoming the workplace barriers in rural Highland Perthshire.”
To nominate a business for ‘Gold Star’ status, send a nomination email of no more than 250 words to TheHub@pkc.gov.uk or HCCEmploymentSupport@PKC.gov.uk