Poundland Partnership Boosts Jobs for Disabled People

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A pioneering partnership has been signed which will lead to more people with disabilities and health conditions getting jobs with leading retailer Poundland throughout its rapidly growing network of UK stores.

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Partnership

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The national agreement between Poundland, Jobcentre Plus and Remploy, which provides specialist employment services for people who experience complex barriers to work, was signed at Poundland’s head office in Willenhall by Head of HR Sonia Sharples, Head of Employer Engagement at Jobcentre Plus Sue Veszpremi and Remploy’s Operations Director Craig Lewis.

Poundland has provided jobs for 41 Remploy candidates in the last year alone and the agreement underlines its commitment to increase this even further, aiming for 100 new colleagues recruited through Remploy by 2010. The retailer has seen sales soar during the economic downturn, with an increase of 23% on last year’s figures, and has opened 42 new stores over the past 12 months.

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Craig Lewis comments

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“This agreement represents real opportunities and real second chances for people who are disadvantaged or who have a disability or health condition”, said Craig Lewis. “At Remploy and Jobcentre Plus, we work with the most diverse selection of people and we can achieve the best results when we work together.

“We are forming really good partnerships with more employers which are about us understanding the work we can do with them and affirming that the candidate’s journey doesn’t end when they start work.”

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Sonia Sharples also comments

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Sonia Sharples commented: “As an employer, Poundland is ideally placed to assist people into the workplace, provide them with an enjoyable role and hopefully a sustainable career in retail.”