A disability employment event hosted by North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson has called for businesses to tap into the huge wealth of employable talent available locally.
The event at the Marriott Hotel in Swindon was held in partnership with Horizons College, a specialist facility for young adults aged 19-25 who have severe or profound multiple learning difficulties and/or complex needs. The College helps its young students to develop employment skills, which will in turn enable them to find employment and gain independence.
Cliff Puffett, one of Horizon College’s Governors, approached Justin with the idea of hosting an event where Horizon’s students could demonstrate to potential employers the skills they have learned, focusing on the catering and hospitality sector. Justin then went about identifying and inviting various businesses & organisations in Swindon to come along and hear more about how their business could benefit.
It was the second disability employment event Justin has organised, following his reverse jobs fair in 2016 at STEAM where local charities and employment organisations who support people with disabilities, were able to meet with local employers of all sizes – from Arkells to SMEs.
This time, the focus was on showcasing the talent and skills of young disabled people, demonstrating their strong employability and personal skills. Justin welcomed everybody with a speech describing how many disabled people just want to be given an opportunity. He described his time as the Minister for Disabled People and how he met a huge number of eager young people who were keen to work and gain independence. He praised their dedication, commitment & enthusiasm, and how that should be embraced by employers.
The showcase was kick-started with a cooking demonstration from four Horizon’s College students, and popular YouTube dhef Fred Finch, aka The Shaky Chef. Fred Finch, who also has his own cookery book, explained how he didn’t let his mobility issues prevent him from doing something he enjoyed and that he hoped he could inspire other people to be given opportunities.
Around 50 representatives from various businesses, including McDonald’s, WH Smith, Pets at Home and organisations including The Chamber of Commerce and Jobcentre Plus; watched Fred and the group make Eton Mess with a twist – using raspberries instead of traditional strawberries.
The team of aspiring chefs also made ‘chicken with dirty rice’, and both dishes were very well received by guests who had the opportunity to sample them at the end of the event.
Prior to the demonstration Genti Mullaliu, Principal of Horizon’s College, explained how the College worked with young people to help them develop employment skills, which in turn would help them find employment and increase their independence. This was further illustrated by a video from the College, showing the young people working and talking about their hopes for employment; highlighting how their confidence & self-esteem had been bolstered by working.
The event was supported and attended by celebrity chef Marco Pierre-White, who provided the recipes used by the Horizon’s College students. After the cookery demonstration he spoke to the audience.
Guests also heard from a young man with autism, who has been working with Marco Pierre-White, and how being in the workplace had built up his confidence; helping him realise what he could achieve. He also urged employers to take a chance on people with disabilities, and help them fulfil their potential.
Representatives from Pluss and Enterprise Works, two local organisations which help people with disabilities find employment, were also in attendance.
Matthew Morrison-Clarke from Enterprise Works, who has seen his business benefit from employing people with disabilities, passionately explained how hiring someone with a disability is good for business - citing their enthusiasm, commitment & loyalty, and how it can make a business more attractive to potential customers and partners. He also highlighted how some disabilities can often be an asset to a number of roles. He gave an example of a young deaf girl, whose deafness meant that she had developed excellent non-verbal communication skills, which enabled her to communicate well with elderly people who might also be hard of hearing.
Justin Tomlinson MP said, “It was inspiring to hear from the young people at Horizons College who have demonstrated that it’s about the ability, not the disability. I was very proud to help organise this event, allowing the students to showcase their talents to potential employers. Nationally, more than 600,000 more disabled people are now in work than in 2010, and right here in Swindon we are leading the way, with great enthusiasm from the local business community.”
Genti Mullaliu, Principal of Horizons College, told the Swindon Advertiser: “The focus of the day was about raising awareness and bringing down the barriers that employers can have to employing people with disabilities. We gave a little bit of a taste of what our learners can do and what potential they have. Marco Pierre White has been fantastic and has offered us some opportunities with his restaurants and hotel chains. He’s actually going to come into the college and do a MasterChef class with our students, which is brilliant.”
Jackie Smith, CEO of Brunel SEN Multi Academy Trust, commented: “It was fabulous to see everyone together. It’s about the fact that they are young people first and disabled second. They have all the characteristics for work. They’re employable, they’re reliable, hardworking, and consistent.
Gemma Commons, a pupil at Horizons, commented, “It went really amazing today. Eton mess is one of my favourites. I think Marco Pierre White liked my dessert. My future dream is being a chef.”
