Partner Article

Just the job!

Over 70 guests joined disabled learners from the Percy Hedley Foundation at the Newcastle offices of leading law firm Dickinson Dees, to help them showcase their work around employability and disability.

The learners, from the recently re-branded Percy Hedley College, were part of a project team that worked together for six months and they used this opportunity to highlight their experiences in a presentation to an audience of employers, parents and supporters. The presentation was a showcase for Phase 4 in the Employers, Employability & Disability – What’s it all about Toolkit, which is a best practice guide for employers.

The Toolkit consists of a DVD, work placement support literature and information on disability awareness, and is a result of a working partnership between Disability North and the Foundation’s Employability Project Funded by the Struan Foundation, the projects’ aim is to increase awareness of disability in the work place by supporting employers who wish to engage with disabled learners.

Ruth Woodfine, Employability Project Manager highlighted why this work is so important ’We believe this user-led project gives a realistic and holistic approach to employability in the workplace. It offers practical support to the employer from start to finish. The Toolkit has given disabled learners the opportunity to enhance their employability and motivational skills as part of their ongoing curriculum at Percy Hedley College.“

Phase 4 of this ongoing project has involved Greggs Plc, The Environment Agency, Dickinson Dees and Metrocentre Management. Diane Cowan Disability NorthManager said “By going into the workplace, the learners have encouraged employers to consider accessible job descriptions, start to think about work placements and really made them think about what roles could be made available to disabled people. The event at Dickinson Dees was an excellent way to showcase the Toolkit and celebrate everyone’s hard work and commitment.”

Christine Saxon, Facilities Manager, Metrocentre agreed: ‘We signed up for this project with the intention of making a difference. I know we found the work to be challenging and sometimes time-consuming however, the staff involved have all commented on how their perceptions of disability in the workplace have changed because of their time spent working directly with the learners. We are delighted to announce that Metrocentre have committed to offering a disabled learner a paid role within Shopmobility and we’ll be working with the College over the next few weeks to recruit and support a suitable candidate.’

The Employability Project works to develop employability opportunities for disabled people by engaging with socially responsible employers. Disability North is a regional charity aiming to promote inclusion, independence and choice for disabled people by providing quality information, services and advice.

If you’d like more information on any of the above, please contact The Employability Project on 0191 281 7532 or go to www.percyhedley.org.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Julie Calvert .