Young people with special educational needs in Redbridge are set to work with top-name employers as a jobs scheme gains momentum.
A key meeting was held between Redbridge disability charity Interface, businesses including Sainsbury’s and Barclays and Redbridge Council to begin to identify roles for young disabled candidates.
The three-year pilot initiative, to be jointly run by Interface and the council and which was championed by Ilford North MP Lee Scott, is intended to help disabled school-leavers into the workplace.
Following the meeting at Lynton House in High Road, Ilford, Mr Scott said: “It went brilliantly.
“A number of companies have said they could come forward with jobs.”
Representatives from Redbridge Chamber of Commerce, Hainault Business Park, car dealer group Glyn Hopkin, Fairlop Pharmacy and Anglo Scottish Properties all attended the meeting on Friday of last week and saw a presentation from Interface member Mary Busk.
Barkingside shop Toyology is also involved.
Mr Scott will soon visit Hainault Business Park to publicise the scheme to more than 100 companies based there.
He said: “We are really up and running.
“All the companies are liaising with the council and Interface.
“The businesses will come forward with the jobs and then they find the right people.
“It will be an interview process.”
The costs of salaries will be met by businesses and training and mentorship will be offered.
Fundraising is underway to contribute towards a projected cost of around £150,000, with Anglo Scottish Properties donating £2,500 and law firm Solomon Taylor & Shaw contributing £1,000.
The MP is also planning a sky-dive in June and has raised £2,000 of a target £5,000 to be split between the scheme and Saint Francis Hospice in Havering-atte-Bower.
He said: “I just think people want to see me jump out of a plane.”
To donate to Mr Scott’s skydive, visit www.justgiving.com/LeeScottMP.
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