Council advocates for career networking with residents with additional needs

One in 50 people in the UK have unique learning challenges and disabilities. With only 5.1 per cent of them in paid employment, this cohort are a rich source of untapped talent. Solihull Council’s Employment and Skills Team introduced ten supportive local employers to residents with additional needs through a networking event earlier this month.

Employers from various sectors including retail, hospitality, construction and care took the opportunity to share their vacancies and career pathways available with residents with additional needs and their carers. There was a lot of planning for this event in terms of accessibility of the venue and the crowd control to ensure that it would be a safe and comfortable environment for all attendees.

Richard Bagnall, Human Resources and Recruitment manager from Hayfield shared his experience at the event: “It was a really great event and gave us the opportunity to meet a wider pool of talent. At Hayfield, a sense of belonging and community are among our core values, and we have a similar approach for recruitment. We are open to making adjustments for our candidates and staff so that everyone can feel a sense of belonging. We also take part in events and jobs fairs to better understand the community and to shape our recruitment strategy. The recruitment support from the Council will help us adapt to a more inclusive workplace and workforce.”

Solihull Council’s Employment and Skills Team are always working to ensure that all residents have an equal chance to access opportunities. The team have a wealth of experience offering support for residents with additional needs. They work with employers to match them with candidates who are ready for work and would fit the roles available. If you need recruitment support, please contact the team with 0121-704-6869 or [email protected]