YI have hailed the Disability Confident Jobs Fair I organised a huge success after the Work and Pensions Secretary came to the island to open it.
Around 50 people attended the event on Friday at Holyhead Town Hall and were able to learn about the local jobs market and what support is available for those with disabilities as they enter the world of work.
Those who came were also able to meet with the secretary of state Mel Stride who stayed on to help.
I worked with the local JobCentre Plus team as part of my Local Jobs for Local People campaign to organise the fair.
Local employers who came included Disability Advocacy Services, Môn CF, Maximus, Cyfle Cymru, PIWS, Careers Wales, Isle of Anglesey Council, Babcock, Anheddau, Christians against Poverty, GIG Cymru, Menter Môn Enterprise Hub.
I am pleased the event was a big success and I thank the secretary of state for travelling up to open it and show his support for making sure disabled people on Ynys Môn have the support and opportunities to embark on training or a career.
Many thanks also to the wonderful Anglesey JobCentre Plus team who are absolute stars.
Their commitment to helping people into work on our island is formidable and they make a huge difference to lives in a role that is often unsung but one I know myself, the secretary of state and people they help really appreciate.
Local constituent Becca Pierce, who attended the event, said: “It was really encouraging to meet a number of people who are proactive in raising awareness of neurodiversity needs, and more importantly how important it is for employers to be neurodiversity awareness trained.”
Mel Stride said: “The government is committed to giving disabled people support and every opportunity to enter and thrive in the workplace.
“We have a good track record, with 1.6 million more disabled people in work since 2017 - a target we met five years early.
“But there’s more to be done. Our Disability Employment Advisors and Work Coaches stand ready to support disabled people find employment opportunities suited to them.
“Our £2.5bn Back to Work plan is also helping 1.1 million people with long-term health conditions or disabilities into work as part of our next generation of welfare reforms.”
