WOMAD supports disadvantaged & disabled people into work
This year's WOMAD Festival (28-30 July) is giving disabled and disadvantaged people the opportunity to work.
28 candidates from disabled or disadvantaged backgrounds will be working in the following roles: Car Park Attendant, Bar Staff, Litter Picker, Site Cleaner, Kitchen Porter, Glass Collector and Lost Property Attendant.
The placements have been provided by Rivermead and Reading Borough Council and coordinated by Graft and Now I Work as a part of The New Untapped Workforce Project.
Joanna Robins from Graft, one of the coordinators of this workplace event said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for local people to have hands on experience and tailored training. This will help them on their journey to long term employment. WOMAD is a celebration of diversity and what better platform to use as a springboard to work".
The New Untapped Workforce Project is a Thames Valley wide European Social Funded project working in hospitality, tourism and leisure to place disadvantaged and disabled people into the workplace for work experience which will be supported by relevant training.
80 people will be supported over the duration of the project and further events will be held during the rest of the year and into 2007.
Ian Davis Manager at Rivermead, run by SCL in conjunction with Reading Borough Council said: "I was privileged to go to an event organised by Graft at the Renaissance Hotel last year. The candidates all did a fantastic job and I knew we could give people the opportunity to do something similar here at Rivermead."
He went on to say: "WOMAD is a great family orientated event, the candidates can make a real contribution and I’m really glad we can support this project and the long term aims of Graft and Now I Work".
Clifford Graham came to the Training Employment Advice (TEA) Shop seeking advice about training opportunities. Clifford, currently unemployed who is taking part in WOMAD work placements said “I am looking forward to the responsibility and getting back into the work environment”
Graeme Hoskin, Reading Borough Council Lead Councillor for Community Care and Health "This is a fantastic project. Along with the rest of the country, Reading is missing out on a great untapped workforce because we do not do enough to help people with disabilities get it into the job market. This is an example of the good work going on in Reading to support the disabled and disadvantaged into work. It will, I'm sure, add a little extra to the great WOMAD celebration of diversity."
