Over the course of the last three years, the GEM Project has been working with employers across Gloucestershire to provide work-based opportunities to participants.
During this time, it has been made clear that businesses have been able to reap a huge range of tangible business benefits from employing or providing an opportunity to participants who may have not been considered previously.
There have already been various employers across the county who have benefitted from embedding an inclusive workforce including Specsavers, Gloucester Services, Emma Willis, Coventry Building Society and Hubble Bubble Coffee House, which has positively impacted on each business; from tapping into a new pool of talent to reducing staff turnover and recruitment costs, increasing staff morale and better understanding their own customer base.
As a result, a new initiative has been developed, Inclusivity Works, with the ambition to support employers in recognising the real business benefits of being more inclusive in their workplace.
This campaign will provide a useful resource hub and support network for employers which contains relevant and engaging information to help and assist organisations in becoming more inclusive and how to tap into these business benefits.
Inclusivity Works will be officially launched at a special event on Tuesday 21st April at the Business School, University of Gloucestershire in which employers will be able to hear first-hand from Gloucestershire businesses as they share how becoming more inclusive has benefited their own business.
Lord Mark Price, former Managing Director of Waitrose and Deputy Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership will also be attending the event as keynote speaker to share his thoughts on leadership and inclusivity.
By sharing business experiences, Inclusivity Works aims to inspire more employers to work with us and with our support, take advantage of some fantastic, talented and motivated potential employees.
Join us as we work together to make Gloucestershire a beacon for inclusivity in the UK.
For more information about the campaign and to register your interest for the event, please email gemnikki@ggtrust.org
The GEM Project is a partnership involving more than 40 organisations across the county managed by Gloucestershire Gateway Trust on behalf of Gloucestershire County Council. It is jointly funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and European Social Fund.
