Oldham Community Leisure (OCL) has secured Disability Symbol Employer status for another year, and is now teaming up with New Bridge School to support pupils with learning disabilities through job placement opportunities.
OCL has held the ‘Two Ticks’accreditation for the past four years, demonstrating its commitment to encouraging job applications from disabled people.
It currently has a number of disabled employees working in different facilities and roles including Leisure Attendant and Swim Teacher.
To achieve the Two Ticks rating, OCL has to demonstrate that it means certain criteria, including interviewing all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a job vacancy and to consider them on their abilities.
They must discuss with disabled employees, at any time but at least once a year, what they can both do to develop and use their abilities and they must make every effort when employees become disabled to make sure they stay in employment.
They must also take action to ensure all employees develop the appropriate level of disability awareness needed to make these commitments work, and must review these commitments every year and assess what has been achieved and plan ways to improve.
Future Finders is New Bridge School’s new employment-based programme for youngsters with a learning disability, which works alongside with a number of employers in Oldham.
The course runs three days per week for one year, enabling youngsters to try a number of different job roles and develop work skills and qualifications, with the aim of securing a paid-for position at the end.
Louise McGreal, Head of Human Resources for OCL, said: “Achieving the Two Ticks ‘positive about disabled people’symbol demonstrates we are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all.
“We are very proud to be supporting disabled people with local opportunities to earn a living.
“Alison Tootill, Head of PE at New BridgeSchool, has been on our Board of Directors since 2012 and we will now be supporting pupils with job placements through their Future Finders programme.
“As a local employer we try to support those who have an interest in sport and leisure and the link with the Future Finders programme is an ideal way to do this.”
Daniel Wood, Future Finders Manager, said: “We are delighted to be working with OCL on the Future Finders project.
“OCL will be providing many opportunities for young people with additional needs in Oldham, including internships and apprenticeships, which will lead to meaningful employment opportunities for many of our young people.”
To find out more about OCL visit their website.
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