11th January 2019
South Devon College are delighted to have been awarded ‘Disability Confident Committed Employer’ status by the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP).
(From left) South Devon College Vice Principal Corporate Services and Deputy CEO Laurence Frewin, Head of Human Resources Kelly Sooben, DWP Customer Service Leader for South Devon Jodie Wilson, and DWP Employer Adviser Manager Karen Palin
As a result of the significant title, the award will see the College working closely alongside the DWP in the future to ensure that all disabled employees and those with long-term health conditions have the opportunities to reach their full potential and realise their aspirations.
To celebrate the achievement, Jodie Wilson, Customer Service Leader for South Devon and Karen Palin, Employer Adviser Manager from the DWP visited the College to present Laurence Frewin, Vice Principal Corporate Services and Deputy CEO, and Kelly Sooben, Head of Human Resources, with the Disability Confident Committed certificate.
Jodie Wilson, DWP said, “Disability Confident is about creating a movement for change, encouraging employers to think differently about disability and to take action to improve how they attract, recruit and retain disabled workers. This involves business talking to business, with Disability Confident employers sharing their evidence and experiences with other employers. South Devon College works extensively with their employers and we are delighted that they will be acting as an ambassador for Disability Confident.”
Laurence Frewin, South Devon College adds, “The College is proud to be formally recognised as a Disability Confident Employer. We are already a Platinum Investor in People organisation and this award is another important part of the College’s commitment to our current and future colleagues to remain their local employer of choice. We have a diverse and talented workforce which represents our learners and our local community, allowing South Devon College to continue to offer the best possible experience, support and outcomes for everyone.”
There are nearly 6 million people of working age in the UK who are disabled or have a health condition. Overall, the estimated percentage of the population who are disabled is around 19%.
Disability Confident is a government scheme designed to encourage employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with health conditions. It has replaced the previous “Two Ticks Positive About Disabled People” scheme.
Part of the rationale for the Disability Confident scheme includes the desire to halve the disability employment gap by mobilising employers to retain or recruit disabled people. The role of the DWP is to support disabled people and those with a long term health conditions into, or back into, work.
To find out more about becoming a Disability Confident Employer Scheme please click here
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