It is well known that while most organisations have excelled in meeting BEE employment targets, many are unhappy about their progress in employing people with disabilities. HR departments are conscious that they are missing out on an important element of the labour market, but there was no obvious way for them to address the issue until the Annual Disability Careers Expo was initiated in 2012.
A joint venture by Hope School and Mandeville Disability Swimming, the annual event's focus is to help launch youngsters with disabilities into careers that are right for them through formal employment, jobs, learnerships or bursaries, and in so doing to deliver a service to employers/HR departments, for a small fee. [Section 18A tax certificates in respect of the fee, as well as letters endorsement for BEE purposes are provided to exhibitors].
Employers can set up stands and interact with the learners as they pass through the Expo. HR teams and companies may distribute information regarding their company as well as information regarding work opportunities, learnerships and bursaries. In addition, the event organisers also present talks to the exhibitors on relevant subjects - such as the implications of employing PWDs, accessibility issues.
Following the success of the expos held since the inception in 2012, this important event has become a permanent fixture on the calendars of LSEN (Learners with Special Education Needs) schools in Gauteng that offer education to the level of Matriculation. In addition, university students about to graduate or recent graduates are invited to attend as well.
As a deliverable to exhibitors, CVs from learners about to matriculate are made available and this has resulted in many more placements of matriculants with disabilities than in previous years.
Dates: Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 April 2015
Times: 08:00 to 14:00 both days
Venue: Hope School, Pallinghurst Road, Westcliff, Johannesburg
For more information and bookings, contact: Paddy Slattery on moc.liamg@yrettalsvp or Charmaine de Bruin on moc.liamg@to.eniamrahc.
