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A charity which supports disabled and disadvantaged people to prepare for, find and stay in work is celebrating an important milestone.
The Guernsey Employment Trust was established five years ago, replacing Supported Employment, a part of the States of Guernsey Adult Disability Service.
GET’s Chief Executive Nikki Ioannou-Droushiotis said the transformation and transition from a States-run service to an employment service commissioned to the third sector has been a success, by supporting more islanders at a lower cost to the taxpayer.
“Reaching our 350th paid outcome is a significant milestone for us which the previous States-run service would’ve taken 20 years to achieve," she said.
"But it’s not all about hard numbers. Although our main aim is to support disabled people with their employment the benefits of our support are often far reaching providing a positive impact on welfare benefits, less reliance on other statutory services and an increase in self-esteem, confidence and motivation to name but a few.
Pictured: Guernsey Electricity is one of 35 businesses signed up to an Employers’ Disability Charter.
"A large part of our success is down to our approach of working closely with business to negotiate and support work opportunities for our clients. We believe that GET has two customers; disabled people and business, and that it is imperative to understand the needs of both to get the right match.”
GET has produced a Good Practice Guide and an Employers’ Disability Charter, which 35 organisations have signed up to so far.
One of these is Guernsey Electricity, whose Head of HR Chris Watkin said: "The Guernsey Employment Trust is invaluable to our local community in creating job opportunities for disabled people and assisting candidates to prepare for, find, and maintain work in Guernsey. The charity also provides employers with an incredible pool of talent which we have experienced first-hand.
“We are proud to be a member of the Employers’ Disability Charter and would encourage other local businesses to sign up or find out more."
Pictured top: The team at Guernsey Employment Trust.
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