Birmingham City Council has commissioned national employment charity Shaw Trust to open doors for the thousands of disabled and disadvantaged Birmingham people battling to get off benefits and back into work, and a big-hearted Brummie has already landed his dream job.
Alum Rock man Asif Malik has joined the new Shaw Trust Birmingham as an Employment and Placement Officer and heís raring to go.
ìIíve been looking for a chance like this ever since I did a six month work placement with a local charity that supported disabled people,î says Asif, 26.
ìI then spent six years as an administrator but I never wanted to sit behind a desk shifting paper. Something inside me just wants to help people and now Iíve got the chance. ìItís a real eye-opener when you realise the prejudice people face, and it doesnít make sense. Statistics show that disabled people tend to stay with your firm longer and take less sick leave because theyíve achieved something the rest of us take for granted - a job!î
The 18 month European Social Fund-funded contract from the City Council will provide a range of support packages to over 850 people claiming Incapacity Benefit and living within the Birmingham area.
Shaw Trust, who are working with partner organisations Rathbone and RNID, nationally supports over 45,000 people a year. ìWeíre delighted to have this crucial backing from the Council to help us to reach local people struggling to make the break from benefits to work,î said Michelle Haynes, Shaw Trust Birmingham Team Leader.
ìNationally, there are 3.2 million people of working age without employment due to poor health or disability, yet at least 1.2 million of them want to work, and could start right now with the right opportunity and support. Now Birmingham, where there were 54,775 IB claimants in November 2005 and 36,550 in May 2006, people are getting that support.î
Shaw Trust is a 24 year-old national charity, which provides training and work opportunities to people disadvantaged in the labour market due to disability, ill health, or social circumstances.
ìThe support available is wide-ranging and wonít affect benefits until appropriate employment is secured. We support clients and employers every step of the way and that continues even after the client starts work,î added Michelle, whose six person squad covers every Birmingham ward.
Councillor Ken Hardeman, Birmingham City Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration said: ìBirmingham City Council are positive in encouraging people off benefits and into employment, Our contract with Shaw Trust enables us to tap into the expertise of one of the major organisations working in the field of disability and employment. We are certain that this project will be a success.î
Asif has spent the last six weeks training with the Trust and will start working with new clients next week. ìThis is a brilliant opportunity for Birmingham and it will open up a big gateway for people who donít normally get much support,î he said. ìI canít wait to get started.î
Opening doors for thousands of Birmingham jobseekers
.
