Disability Employment Action

An initiative to encourage the employment of more disabled people in Hospitality, Leisure, Travel and Tourism

Utilising a pipeline approach – awareness-building on the part of employers and employees alike, then taster experiences followed by actual recruitment and retention – Springboard has joined forces with disability experts and organisations, JobCentre Plus and committed employers to implement practical initiatives that will make a real difference. It is a challenging task and one that will grow over the long term through individual building blocks that demonstrate employer ‘best practice’ and motivate an ever-increasing number of employers to come on board.

There are five key elements at the heart of the project:

• Employers' Conference on Disability
• Work Placement and Work Experience
• Marketing and PR
• Careers Fairs
• Springboard Ambassadors
• Career Profiles

2003 has been designated the European Year for Disabled People. In an industry beset by skill shortages, with recruitment and retention high on the business agenda, it would be timely for hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism to make significant progress in facilitating the recruitment of this valuable and loyal workforce.

For further information contact Rhona Mennie rhonam@springboarduk.org.uk