whg is flying the flag for Walsall for All’s third priority: Working and Contributing Together. They are fully committed to increasing the levels of diversity in their workforce and establishing an inclusive work environment. They have been recognised as a Walsall Works Gold Partner for the second year running for the work they do in improving the lives of people across the borough.
They are a committed Disability Confident employer and they recognise the importance of this to allow them to recruit and retain people with disabilities. Through their regular recruitment activities they have supported a large number of local residents to apply for whg vacancies. Applicants who have declared a disability and meet the essential criteria are automatically shortlisted for interview. Additionally, all whg vacancies are advertised via whg’s Employment & Training Team and their website. This team ensures whg vacancies are distributed locally to a range of local partner organisations, as well as directly to unemployed customers they are working with as part of a caseload approach.
whg provides the necessary coaching support to disadvantaged or vulnerable customers to maximise their success in their job applications. With this in mind, they have successfully employed Walsall people from vulnerable groups across a number of different roles in line with their Equality and Diversity policies. As a positive action employer, this year they have been successful in recruiting women into construction roles within their organisation. Using a targeted apprenticeship campaign, they actively encouraged female applicants to apply and held an open day at their main office in Walsall town centre. As a result of a successful recruitment campaign, they have taken on female apprentices.
Georgia Robinson, 21, (pictured on the left) signed up to UPLIFT, whg’s new Women into Construction Programme, as she felt it would help her find work. She said: “I wanted to learn painting and decorating to help me get a job. I’m all for women working in a trade and would tell anyone thinking of doing the course to just go for it because it’s so worth it.”
Julie Haywood, whg’s Director of Community Investment said: “At whg, we are passionate about helping our customers to thrive and having a positive impact on their lives through offering a whole range of support across the organisation.”
Walsall Works said: “Since becoming our first gold partner, whg have increased their focus on social value and are looking to expand this even further.”