A six-week series of free online sessions about inclusive employment will get underway next week as part of Devon’s Connect to Work programme.
Connect to Work, funded by the Department of Work and Pensions and delivered via Devon County Council, supports people with disabilities, health conditions and other barriers to employment, to help them find and sustain paid work.
Working closely with local employers, the initiative helps businesses access motivated candidates, strengthen inclusive recruitment practices and retain valuable staff through tailored support.
The initial online “lunch and learn” session, titled “Inclusive Recruitment and Retention”, will be held from 12pm-12:30pm on Thursday 17 September and coincides with National Inclusion Week from Monday 14 to Sunday 20 September. The session will be delivered by Inclusion and Accessibility Specialist Andrew Holland, founder of SendMe2Work, which helps businesses and organisations remove barriers for disabled people, neurodivergent people and those with long term health conditions.
You can book a place on the first online session via Eventbrite.
Others topics which will be covered during the series include homelessness and employment, care leavers and employment, and neurodiversity in the workplace.
Councillor Simon Clist, Cabinet Member for Assets and Resources, said:
“These online “lunch and learn” sessions aim to help employers to attract, recruit and retain a more diverse workforce. They’re designed to provide practical, bite sized advice that employers can implement immediately to adopt inclusive recruitment practices and attract a wider pool of candidates. Each session lasts just 30 minutes and includes expert speakers, real world examples and practical takeaways.
“The series can help employers build confidence to support employees with additional needs or health conditions and create workplaces where people with diverse skills can thrive. There’s also the added benefit of ongoing support.”
Connect to Work offers up to 12 months free practical one to one support for
employers and employees, plus free training to strengthen inclusive recruitment and workplace culture.
The programme matches candidates with businesses, provides support during the interview process and stays involved to help new employees settle, thrive and stay in work.
For more information about Connect to Work visit www.devon.cc/ctw
