Supermarket group Somerfield is opening up
hundreds of jobs for people with disabilities by joining forces with Remploy, the leading supplier of employment opportunities
for the disabled.
Under the scheme – which covers more than 1,250 Somerfield
and Kwik Save supermarkets nationwide – stores will
provide Remploy’s recruitment division, Interwork Services, with details of their vacancies. The
company is guaranteeing to interview all candidates presented by Interwork Services, provided they meet the job
specification requirements.
Interwork Services will advise on the interview
process and provide continuing advice and support for both new recruits and
management. It will also be available for advice on issues around disability
and access.
Karan Paige, head of retail HR at Somerfield, said: "We have already been working with Remploy to recruit disabled people and we are impressed
with the significant contribution these employees have made.
"This partnership will provide a unique recruitment resource for Somerfield, enabling the company to access the widest
possible pool of talent. It will also help us meet our obligations on diversity
and equal opportunities issues."
Stuart Knowles, executive director for Interwork
Services, said there were more than a million disabled people in the UK
who wanted to work and were looking for an opportunity to use their skills.
"Experience shows they are particularly committed and conscientious
employees," he said. "Yet too often their potential is ignored where
there are acute employment shortages."
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Somerfield said it hoped the scheme would enable
its workforce to better reflect its customer base and the local community.
By Mike Berry
