Disabled jobs fair a success
EAST Runcorn MP Graham Evans has declared his inaugural event aimed at boosting work opportunities for residents with disabilities a ‘success’.
He said businesses from across Cheshire attended the Disability Confident showcase to learn about the benefits of hiring employees with disabilities.
Representatives from charities and organisations manned stalls for companies to speak to them.
The firms then explained their employment needs and the organisations said what support was available from themselves and the Government.
There were also businesses present which already benefit from recruiting those with disabilities and were able to answer questions employers may have had.
Nineteen organisations signed up to be ‘ Disability Confident’ companies: ABB Ltd, Arthritis Care, B&M, Brio Leisure, Cheshire Community Development Trust, Cheshire Constabulary, Cheshire West And Chester Council, Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Chester Phab, Community Integrated Care, Deafness Support Network, Halton Borough Council, Tata Chemicals Ltd, Telecom Plus, The Alternative Futures Group, Vale Royal Disability Service, Weaver Vale Housing Trust and West Cheshire College.
Mr Evans, MP for Weaver Vale, hosted the event and said he was delighted with the outcome.
He also thanked the fair’s sponsors The Clear Company and other organisations which contributed to the day.
He said: “I’m really proud that 19 companies from across Cheshire have signed up today and pledged to become Disability Confident employers.
“Big companies such as B&M, Tata Chemicals and ABB Ltd, organisations such as Weaver Vale Housing Trust and Cheshire Constabulary and our local authorities Cheshire West And Chester and Halton Borough Council have all committed to giving employment opportunities to those with disabilities.
“This event is all about encouraging employers to see the ability rather than the disability.
“No-one is asking for any favours.
“People just want the chance to have an interview. Everyone has their own strengths and we want businesses to see there is a huge amount of potential out there.”
Kate Hedley, of The Clear Company, said: “The success of this event is testament to the fact that whilst organisations are largely open to engaging with disabled candidates, there is a real need for information and support around how this can be done most effectively.
“There is immense support available, from Government and other third party organisations, and events such as this allow us to share that message.”
She added: “While the Clear Company works with large corporates across the UK to assist them in becoming more inclusive, meeting employers in my local constituency, who are open to the wealth of opportunity that engaging with disabled jobseekers offers, fills me with immense pride.
“I’d like to thank my local MP, Graham Evans, for hosting the event as well as all the organisations which exhibited and attendees who pledged their support to becoming disability confident on the day.
“By working together, we can not only give organisations access to more diverse talent pools, but also make a powerful difference at a personal level – for candidates with a disability that are able to find work – this shift in understanding can be truly life-changing.”