Let’s talk about disabled people’s employment.
Traditionally employment rates are significantly lower for disabled people than non-disabled people.
Figures for the year ending March 2020 show the employment rate for disabled people aged 16 to 64 in Wales was 50%, compared to 81% of non-disabled people.
Action is needed to close this employment gap.
Given there were 420,000 disabled people aged between 16 and 64 living in Wales in 2020* there’s a huge amount of untapped talent for business owners with vacancies to fill.
The Welsh Government has employed a network of Disabled People’s Employment Champions who will work with employers across Wales to increase awareness of the talent and skills provided by disabled people.
The Champions come from a range of backgrounds but they all have experiences of working as a disabled person and supporting businesses, and it’s often not as expensive or challenging as businesses fear.
What is it?
Working in partnership with Business Wales specialist advisors, the Champions are there to help employers adapt their recruitment practices for their workforce, and access the support which is available to them and their employees. You will get back just as much as you put in and the benefits to you as an employer are endless.
All of this is free and unique to employers in Wales. Whether an employer is looking to inject new talent into their team, retain or retrain existing staff who have become disabled, or want to ensure their workplace and HR policies are inclusive the Champions can help.
Any business in Wales interested in increasing the diversity of their workforce and finding out more about the many benefits of and support available for employing disabled people can contact the Champions at DPEC@gov.wales.
Alternatively, you can find out more on the Business Wales website.
*Data taken from the Annual Population Survey, which collects data on disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010.
Brochures and leaflets
A More Equal Wales: A practical guide for employers to employing disabled people (Easy Read PDF)
Brochure: Skills and recruitment support for employers (External link)
