A
service launched today has called on more employers in West London to ‘give
people with learning disabilities the chance to work’.
Although
there are an estimated 120,000 adults with a severe learning disability in
England, only 7,000 are in full-time employment, according to The Employment
Project.
The
initiative by the Yarrow charity aims to address this by matching up jobseekers
who have a learning disability with interested employers.
The
project will work with local businesses to identify suitable vacancies and
provide ongoing support to make sure the placements are successful.
The
support will include:
•
a full assessment to ensure candidates and employers are properly matched
•
pre-employment training for company staff and the potential recruits
•
in-work support
Yarrow’s
chief executive Tim Hughes, said it made good business sense to give people
with learning disabilities the chance to work.
"Research
shows there are advantages for both parties,” he said. “Businesses get staff
that they can rely on, they get access to an untapped labour pool and they can
demonstrate to their staff and customers that they do not discriminate.”
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