Staffing organization helps address labor shortage with untapped talent sources
Q: Can you tell me about Galt
Foundation and the people and businesses you serve?
A: Galt Foundation is a nonprofit staffing organization specializing in pairing skilled individuals with disabilities with jobs in the public and private sector. Galt is not only a staffing agency but a social enterprise, meaning we use commercial strategies to achieve our vision of helping to create a world in which every person is valued for their ability. We were founded in 1998 on the belief that all people have a contribution to make to the workplace and everyone deserves access to a good job. People with disabilities are employed by Galt and then matched with an assignment at another organization. Galt employees are paid competitive wages with benefits and work across a wide variety of positions ranging from manual labor to professional services (such as accountants and case workers). Currently, Galt has 2,500 employees working at more than 100 employers nationwide, and our hope is to one day become the largest employer of individuals with disabilities in the world. Every day, we’re inspired by the knowledge that inclusiveness benefits not only individuals, but the hiring organization and society as a whole.
Q: Galt Foundation recently opened an office in Tulsa. Why does Galt Foundation think Tulsa offers opportunities to grow?
A: Providing, promoting, and expanding employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities is our mission and there are a number of factors that make Tulsa a great fit for us. First, Tulsa’s economy is growing and diversifying from primarily an oil and gas economy to include industries such as advanced manufacturing, aerospace, health care, logistics and information technology. These new industries and companies that are coming to the area create new jobs and opportunities for Oklahomans with disabilities who have employment goals outside of the oil and gas industry. Tulsa’s support for successful public-private partnerships is also something that resonated with us, given our experience in the public sector. There is also room for overall development and population growth in the Tulsa area, which lends itself to sustainable job opportunities. Another factor is Tulsa’s active community of individuals with disabilities and their supporters. There is a long history of self-advocacy and advocacy on behalf of individuals with disabilities in Green Country. Through a wide range of services and activities that serve a variety of Oklahomans, Tulsa has long been a place for inclusion and employment of individuals with disabilities.
Q: How is the low unemployment rate and tight job market impacting employers?
A: In the last 20 years, it has never been harder to find skilled employees than it is today. Today’s employers have to be increasingly creative to win the competition for talent at all levels — from manual labor and clerical positions to executive positions. Successful employers are utilizing staffing companies as a strategy to explore untapped talent sources. Individuals with disabilities are capable of performing skilled jobs alongside people who do not have disabilities, but they have historically faced barriers to employment. That’s where we come in, helping to solve the issue for both companies and job seekers with disabilities.
Q: I understand individuals with disabilities make especially good employees. Why?
A: Yes, individuals with disabilities make exceptionally good employees and here’s why: people with disabilities are likely to have experienced a higher rate of employment discrimination than other employees, and therefore know the value of the job and what they can contribute to the workplace. Research shows individuals with disabilities perform on par with other employees and many require little to no accommodations. To put it simply, employing a person with a disability means you have a capable employee who recognizes the value they bring to your company. In today’s employment environment, companies are looking for capable, skilled employees who bring enthusiasm for work and value.