Golden Jubilee Foundation hosts West Dunbartonshire’s first ever Disability Confident Event

Today (Friday 10 February 2017), the Golden Jubilee Foundation together with the department for Work and Pensions, hosted West Dunbartonshire’s first Disability Confident employer engagement event, providing employers with support and knowledge on how to attract, retain and recruit disabled people.

 Stewart Rennie, President, Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce, represented the chamber at the event.

The Golden Jubilee has a strong culture and proven track record of valuing the diversity of all of our staff and has put in place a range of employee friendly policies and procedures to support staff through different phases of their lives.

The Golden Jubilee is already a level two ‘Disability Confident Employer’; and hosting this event reinforces their commitment to becoming a level three ‘Disability Confident Leader’.

Jill Young, Chief Executive of the Golden Jubilee Foundation, commented: “The Golden Jubilee is very proud of our inclusive attitude and behaviours, and in line with our vision to lead quality, research and innovation, we want to be a Disability Confident employer that goes above and beyond.

“By showing our commitment to becoming a level three ‘Disability Confident Leader, we can encourage and support other employers on the Disability Confident journey by sharing what we do, and more importantly improve working opportunities for disabled people.

“We are delighted to be hosting the first Disability Confident employer engagement event in West Dunbartonshire and would encourage other employers to commit to becoming Disability Confident - identifying and removing barriers in the recruitment of disabled people”. 

Replacing the ‘Double Tick’ scheme, Disability Confident was launched in 2013 with the aim of improving work opportunities for disabled people.

Martin Docherty-Hughes MP opened the event, speaking on behalf of MSP colleagues Gil Paterson and Jackie Baillie.

Martin Docherty-Hughes MP commented: “As the MP for West Dunbartonshire, I was delighted to offer my full support to this very important scheme which seeks to half the disability employment gap across our country.

“Disabled people living in our community have so much to offer and critically if given the opportunity can and will be a valuable member of any workforce.

“Ensuring that more people of disabled working age find employment will involve everyone here today, politicians, employers and government agencies, working together. I would strongly encourage all employers to begin their journey to becoming Disability Confident employers.

“I would like to extend my thanks to all those who have ensured that the event took place, and in particular to the Golden Jubilee Foundation, who are themselves a Disability Confident Employer, for being such gracious hosts.”

Stewart Rennie, President, Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce added: "It was fantastic to be part of such an important event raising awareness of Dunbartonshire businesses regarding the support available to enable them to employ and retain disabled people as part of their workforce. We will certainly be taking this valuable information back to our membership."