Disability employment specialist Remploy has teamed up with two of Swansea's main hotels to assist more local people with disabilities and health conditions to find jobs in the area.
The new partnerships with The Grand Hotel and Ramada Jarvis mean that jobseekers working with specialist advisors at Remploy's Swansea recruitment branch will be notified of vacancies at the hotels and encouraged to apply for positions where they will be considered fairly for all roles.
Paul Philips, manager of Remploy's branch located in Alexander Road, said: "Our strategy is to work with the best employers in Wales and these partnerships have been a fantastic development. One jobseeker has already started work at Ramada Jarvis and another at The Grand Hotel. We hope the relationships will continue to develop and that more disabled people will go into employment with both."
Danielle Ryan, 19 and from Swansea, was referred to Remploy by Careers Wales when she completed a catering course and started a work trial in the kitchen of Ramada Jarvis.
After she impressed her bosses at the hotel, a Remploy account manager worked with the human resources manager to arrange a permanent position for Danielle and discuss the post employment support that Remploy could offer.
Danielle, who is profoundly deaf, said: "Over the last few months I have really enjoyed gaining experience as a trainee chef, learning lots of new tips and improving my communication skills. After I left college I didn't expect to find work straight away but was thrilled when the hotel called my mum and offered me a work trial. Thanks to Remploy I have now got a permanent job and a new lease of life as well."
Lynne Huxtable, human resources manager at Swansea Ramada Jarvis, added: "Access to Work has been supporting Danielle in her role and suggesting ways that we can help her. As an organisation we pride ourselves on valuing equality and diversity and the fact that everyone should be offered job opportunities. What's important to us is how well people can do the job that they are given."
Tom Bates, general manager at The Grand Hotel, said: "The central location of the Remploy branch is very convenient for us and means that we have a pool of potentially job ready candidates on our door step. We have been working with the advisors at Remploy to offer work trials and interviews for jobseekers and have been impressed by the quality of candidates. Over time we hope to develop the relationship and continue to work with Remploy wherever possible."
Paul Phillips added: "Through our branch we are helping jobseekers to develop skills and receive support in looking for a job. At the same time we are working with key employers in the area, helping them to fill job vacancies with support tailored to each individual person who is taken on."
Jobseekers and employers are invited to contact the branch at Alexandra House, Alexandra Road, Swansea, SA1 5ED or call 0845 1552594.