Do you know that local employers are bucking the trend toward employing people with disabilities?

Recent media reports claim that employers lack an understanding of people with disability and exercise their prejudices by not employing people with characteristics deemed undesirable.

Earlier this month Federal Minister for Employment Participation, Kate Ellis released results of a new Australian study claiming employers continue to operate under the misconception that people with disability will be less productive.

NSW Northern Rivers and Gold Coast businesses are bucking the trend in droves as they increase their demand for a talent pool that has traditionally been overlooked.

Despite a tough economic climate, vacancies exist throughout the region and local employers are more than willing to cast aside prejudice to embrace a valuable sector of the labour market that is willing and able to meet their needs.

We have canvassed a large number of businesses in the last three months, of which a staggering proportion had immediate vacancies, but more importantly the majority were open to employing a person with an injury, illness or disability as part of their team.

What we now know is that we are in a region full of savvy business operators who have readily identified the value of tapping into a non-traditional talent pool as a means to sustaining their business into the future.

As a result, we have a number of vacancies available and we are calling for Expressions of Interest from people with disability who are professional, tertiary and/or trade qualified and who are ready to embrace local employment opportunities.

Recognition is due the local business community for their vision and for becoming part of a local solution to the skills shortage by partnering with us.  Hopefully more employers will follow the trend and reap the rewards.

Expressions of Interest may be registered with Karen Daley at ON-Q Human Resources on 1800 761 561.

Alec Morgan, Managing Director.