Local repairs and maintenance firm Mears has formed a new partnership with the Employability Project part of the Percy Hedley Foundation in a bid to support work opportunities for disabled people.
The Foundation is a registered charity that provides services for disabled people and their families, the Employability Project works across the region to develop employability opportunities and break down the barriers that employers envisage exist to employing disabled people. Mears are supporting their goal of increasing student and disabled adults employability skills by offering work placements, experience and training workshops.
This is a pilot project for Mears which aims to improve employment opportunities for disabled people as well as raise awareness of the benefits for businesses in thinking differently about who they recruit.
Jill Morrison, a student from Percy Hedley College started a long term placement in September working as an administrator at Mears' office in Sedgefield, where 8,500 homes are maintained on behalf of homes and communities business livin. She said; 'I really enjoy working at Mears, I look forward to Monday mornings and have enjoyed meeting new staff. I would love a position here in the future.'
Open to all students and adults alike the work placements give disabled people real employability, confidence and life skills which can support them to secure apprenticeships or future employment.
Colin Middlemass, Managing Director Mears said 'We are proud to be supporting The Percy Hedley Foundation, everyone one deserves a chance in life to work to the best of their ability and to have the same life opportunities as everyone else, some just need more support than others to make this happen - this is what we aspire to.'