Remploy Records Early Job Successes From New Liverpool Branch
Remploy, the UK’s leading provider of employment services for people with disabilities and health conditions, has notched up early job successes from its newly opened high street branch in Derby Square. Thanks to a partnership with high street retailer Wilkinson in Liverpool city centre, two disabled people have just been appointed as store merchandisers - and both are delighted to be back in work!
Twenty-two year old Caroline Edge from Aintree is profoundly deaf, the reason she cites why dozens of other employers have rejected her job applications. “Being out of work for the last two years has been very hard, not least because nobody would give me a chance to prove myself,” she said.
Caroline walked into Remploy’s recruitment branch, and with the help of Remploy’s specialist employment advisors, walked out with an invitation to attend an interview at Wilkinson’s store. She was one of hundreds of people to apply, but succeeded in being offered one of just nine jobs that were available.
“Staying at home is not for me,” she said. “I want to work and to be amongst other people. I know I can do the job, and thanks to Remploy and Wilkinson, I have been given the chance.”
David Benn, 35, says he will now leave his home in Bootle each day with renewed enthusiasm, having finally got a job after almost 100 rejections. David has a learning disability and epilepsy, which he says have proved to be huge barriers to him getting a job. “I’ve almost lost count of the number of jobs I have applied for! Most never even sent me an acknowledgment,” he said.
David attended Remploy’s first jobs fair at its Liverpool branch. At this event, Wilkinson’s Liverpool store manager Mark Allen gave a presentation about how his company recruits staff and what qualities they look for in their candidates. David took careful note and used his knowledge during his interview, which impressed departmental manager Lynne Vint.
“I am delighted for both Caroline and David,” said Mrs Vint. “Clearly, Remploy’s candidates are well prepared for their interviews and they know what we are looking for. They happen to have a disability or health condition, but that is irrelevant - they want to work for Wilkinson. We look forward to interviewing more Remploy candidates when more opportunities arise in our store.”
Pictured above are Caroline Edge and David Benn, now merchandisers at Wilkinson’s.
Though I am glad for Caroline and David, it must be noted that these early successes may come at great cost. In order to fund its high Street branches, Remploy proposes to close down 3 of its factories in the Merseyside, region that currently employ 350+ disabled workers.
August 13th, 2007 at 10:08 amThough the principle of getting people with disabilities into work must be applauded, does this have to be at the cost of others, already working in the factories?
How many of the factory employees will have to endure the years of unemployment and rejections that these 2 people have been subjected to?
Though I agree that full social inclusion and integration into mainstream employment has to be our ultimate aim, there is a shortage of enlightened employers and factory workers must not be used as cannon fodder to pathe the way.