04 Jun 2015
On Thursday 4th June, delegates from companies such as Royal Mail, Big Lottery Fund and Ernst & Young will hear about National Grid's 'EmployAbility - Let's Work Together' programme at a conference in Warwick. EmployAbility takes students with learning disabilities and places them in internships that expose them to a business environment.
Representatives and interns from National Grid will describe their experience of setting up the EmployAbility programme, and discuss the benefits of helping disabled people into work.
Currently just seven per cent of people with learning disabilities are in paid work. They find themselves locked out by a possible lack of qualifications or because they don't have the communication skills to succeed in a job interview.
Welcoming the programme, Minister for Disabled People, Justin Tomlinson MP, said:
"The latest figures show another significant increase in the number of disabled people in employment and it's clear we're moving in the right direction.
"The EmployAbility Programme is an excellent example of how a business can build a strong and talented workforce while giving opportunities to young disabled people.
"By encouraging others to set up their own schemes we can continue to break down career barriers for disabled people and support them to fulfil their potential."
Mark Pickles, EmployAbility Co-founder, National Grid, said:
"We're delighted that so many businesses are joining us to hear about how they too can benefit from giving disabled people a chance in their workplaces.
"We'd encourage all businesses to sign up and run schemes like EmployAbility. Colleagues with disabilities add real value and, with many having often overcome significant barriers in their personal life, demonstrate perseverance and a strong ability to manage challenges in the business environment."
Taurai Horton, who graduated from the National Grid EmployAbility scheme and will be speaking at the event on Thursday, said:
"Through the EmployAbility scheme I realised I could achieve much more than I ever imagined.
"If it wasn't for people believing in me, I would never have had the chance to prove myself. Now I'm playing an important role in the Sustainability & Climate Change team at National Grid."