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PRO INSTALLER AUGUST 2015
PRO RECRUITMENT
@proinstaller1
Call for firms to
recruit workers from
disadvantaged groups
Construction firms are being urged to back a campaign aimed at transforming the way businesses
recruit, while encouraging them to take on more people from disadvantaged groups.
See Potential, launched
by the Department for
Work and Pensions, is
rallying employers to
tap into the skills of
people including ex-offenders, those overcoming homelessness
or addiction, and care
leavers.
And the Construction
Industry Training Board
has joined leaders from the
business community, including Sir Richard Branson
and entrepreneur Deborah
Meaden, in supporting the
initiative.
Addressing employers in
an online article, Employment Minister Priti Patel
said: “Many of you in sectors such as retail, hospital-
‘The scheme is all about promoting
the huge potential of different
groups, which can often be missed’
ity, technology, transport,
manufacturing and legal
services are already seeing
potential rather than perceived barriers.
“And it’s not just big employers: SMEs (small and
medium-sized enterprises)
have also recognised the
skills that people from
disadvantaged groups can
provide.
“I urge other companies to
learn from their experience
by reviewing their approach
to recruitment, and I’d
encourage you to see potential by setting up your own
schemes, to extend a hand
to others, and to offer a fair
chance.”
The scheme is all about
promoting the huge potential of different groups,
which can often be missed
when bosses make judg-
ments on personal backgrounds or circumstances.
It is asking employers
to welcome staff from all
walks of life by opening up
new positions to everyone
and placing job adverts
where those from disadvantaged groups will see
them.
Research carried out by
Business in the Community
earlier this year found that
many firms are already benefiting by recruiting people
from diverse backgrounds.
It found that 45% of
companies that supported a
more open recruitment process saw a direct financial
impact as a resul