More than 260 Canadians with disabilities have entered the workforce over the last year thanks to a Burnaby-based non-profit.
The Neil Squire Society launched its Working Together Program last year, after being awarded an $8.8 million contract under the federal government’s Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities.
Working Together provides employers with up to $30,000 in subsidies to pay the wages of a person with a disability for a minimum of six months and a maximum of one year.
Employers also get ongoing support and worksite adaptations from the Neil Squire Society to help accommodate the needs of their new employees.
The Working Together Program is designed to dispel myths and make a business case for hiring people with disabilities – like the fact that the majority of people with disabilities have some post-secondary education, they stay with their employers longer than most employees, and take less sick time.
By connecting candidates with the appropriate skill sets to the right employers, the Working Together Program also aims to create a more inclusive workforce.
Since last August, the program has served 503 clients, with 262 securing employment and many more still looking for opportunities to work.
For more information about Neil Squire’s wage-subsidy program, visit www.neilsquire.ca.
