As well as making a positive contribution to society, and increasing the diversity of your workforce to reflect your customer base, there are many other benefits to your business.
Developing an ethical corporate image which can be fundamental to business success. A study found that 87% of consumers preferred to use companies that hired people with disabilities, and that 92% felt more favourable towards companies that hired individuals with disabilities.
Working alongside a young person with an additional need can increase your organisation’s understanding of your market. For an average business, more than 20% of your customers are disabled people. A workforce that reflects the diverse range of customers it serves, and the community in which it is based, is good for business.
The placement can act as an extended working interview – giving you an increased chance of getting the right person to fill your vacancies and bringing new skills to your workforce.
Quote from Lisa Pike
As a small business we have been happy to support students of all abilities through their learning journey. In setting up internships within our workplace, not only are we are able to offer students a chance to work within the industry but also increase their life skills and confidence.
Facilitating supported interns is something we really pride ourselves in, seeing our team grow and flourish and offering some employment at the end of their placement.
Lisa Pike, Mrs Gill’s Country Cakes, Tiverton
Interns can be trained to undertake tasks using an employer’s methods, thereby meeting the required standards.
Offering a placement will increase an employer’s disability confidence, with job coaches available to supplement any in-work training that the employer provides. The intern can also undertake additional learning in college, identified by the employer, to work on qualifications that the employer would want for their workforce.
There may be an opportunity to give a junior member of staff mentoring or supervisory experience if they act as a ‘buddy’ to the intern.