Supporting Local Talent event – 36 pledges received

On Thursday 19^th November 2015, CRP’s Recruit London initiative held a successful ‘Supporting Local Talent’ event to celebrate the work of our new  Specialist Workplace Coordinator Sylvia Kankasa, and encourage local businesses to offer employment opportunities to job seekers with disabilities and health conditions.

The event was hosted by Councillor Rachael Robathan, Cabinet Member for Adults and Public Health, and Councillor Iain Bott, Deputy Cabinet Member for Adults and Public Health from Westminster City Council.  Attendees included Aqua Restaurant Group, Debenhams, The Crown Estate, Shake Shack, Hilton Hotels, Gallowglass Security LLP and St Christopher’s Place.

We were delighted to generate over 36 pledges, ranging from employers promising to host workplace visits to working with us to’ job carve’ vacancies to suit a wider range of candidates.  To get involved please email: skankasa@westminster.gov.uk

Councillor Bott interviewed a Recruit London candidate who has faced barriers to work, and offered a wonderful insight into a highly skilled individual with a huge amount to offer, but just who needed adjustments or support in the recruitment process. Sardia, from Double Tree by Hilton, spoken about why engaging in this work benefitted their business. Helen Macfarlane, from the Business Disability Forum, spoke about why it makes good business sense to consider disability as a core part of business, and support and employ local skilled candidates from a diverse pool.

Businesses also left with information on how they can make adjustments in the workplace to enable them to become ‘Disability Confident’, and provided access grant funding to support their employees via Access to Work. 

The event was a huge success and is just the beginning of what we are sure will be a successful project to create opportunities for local people from the widest possible pool of local talent. We are working with attendees to secure opportunities for Westminster’s residents.