In early November I will be opening a ‘Disability Confident’ event at The Guildhall in the town centre, an event for employers to attend to see for themselves the advantages of employing people with disabilities.
This event will be an opportunity for us to demonstrate to employers how people with disabilities are hugely successful employees.
I have held several very successful Jobs Fairs in Northampton over the years, and a huge Apprenticeship Fair I organised earlier this year was the largest of its type in the country!
Unemployment in Northampton North is down by a massive 58% since I was elected in 2010.
This Disability Confident event coming in November will focus on demonstrating to employers that there are many disabled people who are willing and able to do work, and would like the opportunity to do so. Some employers are reluctant to employ disabled people and I am hoping to dispel certain myths at this event.
Equally, some people may assume there is no work available to them or do not know of the great opportunities open to them. Many employers happily make accommodations for disabled people and have lots of positions that are available to those with disabilities.
I am very happy to sponsor and support this event alongside Northampton Borough Council, Guidant Group, and Disability Confident – and I hope that it will help many disabled people get into work.