Launched in 2022, the programme now has 88 members, each committed to adopting a fully inclusive approach to their recruitment and HR practises.
The Chamber, an integral component of the wide array of business support available across Coventry and Warwickshire immediately added three new vacancies to the Fair Chance Job Portal which carries inclusive opportunities available at all the member businesses.
The programme is open to any Warwickshire business and offers employers support in creating a diverse application, interview and onboarding process and ongoing in-work support should the individual and business require it.
Warwickshire Skills Hub Business Advisors provide a free skills and training review throughout the business to see where a Fair Chance Employee opportunity may be considered. This may include 'job carving' which looks at a job description and carves responsibilities or tasks to make it inclusive to a person's specific needs.
Individuals supported are:
- Foreign nationals who are part of our Resettlement Programme in Warwickshire
- People with learning disabilities and/or Autism
- Ex-armed forces personnel
- Active armed forces spouses & partners
- Young people aged 16-18 that are not in education, employment, or training (NEETS)
- People over the age of 50 who are looking to get back into work or retrain
- Care leavers
- Young carers
- Parents returning to work
- People who have been made redundant
The Fair Chance Jobs Portal is a tool developed as a part of the programme to help bridge the gap between the Fair Chance candidates looking for paid employment and the Fair Chance employers looking for staff.
Fair Chance employers are supported with a 'wraparound' support package to ensure the smooth transition of employing new staff.
The support includes:
- A full business skills review
- In-work job coach for people with Autism and/or learning disabilities and anyone with physical or mental health concerns
- Employer workshops to raise awareness of all supportive needs in the workplace
- Mental health support and prevention tools and resources
- Tailored recruitment support
- Job carving for new opportunities
Matthew Hammersley, HR manager for the Chamber, said: “We are delighted to join the Warwickshire Fair Chance Employer Programme and we’ve already added jobs to the portal.
“As a Chamber, we are committed to a fully inclusive approach to recruitment and HR and joining the programme is a further demonstration of that and we’d encourage other businesses and organisations across the region to do the same.”
Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economy, Cllr Rob Howard, said: “It is great news that Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce has become a Fair Chance Employer. The Fair Chance Employment Programme had proved a huge success and to have almost 100 members in its first three years shows the commitment across businesses in our county.
“The Chamber does so much excellent work to support businesses, it is great to have them on board. It is a perfect fit.”
