G4S, the world’s leading security solutions provider, continued its 2012 baton relay in Rugby this week to help raise awareness of career opportunities for disabled people in the security sector.
The relay idea was originally devised by Remploy, the specialist employment services company, to celebrate the achievements of disabled people. More than 1,000 batons were handed out by Remploy last November and each person receiving one was asked to share an inspirational story of a disabled person, or an organisation linked to disability.
The venue for the West Midlands leg of the relay was Rye Hill Prison, Rugby, which has been run by G4S since it opened in 2001. Sally Brett, HR Manager from G4S’s Care & Justice business received the baton from G4S Government & Outsourcing Services HR Director, Greg Austin.
The baton featured a case study on disabled G4S security officer Stephen Smart, who was supported by Remploy into work as a security Officer at the town’s Jobcentre Plus office.
Success stories of disabled people who have started new careers with G4S will be highlighted on the baton as each month it passes between the company’s different businesses across Britain, culminating in a final handover before the start of the London Olympics and Paralympics this summer.
After the West Midlands handover, further baton exchanges will be held in Manchester, Glasgow, Newcastle, Slough and London, attended by representatives from G4S, Remploy and clients of G4S who are supporting the initiative.
Greg Austin, HR Director at G4S Government and Outsourcing Services, said: “The baton handover in Rugby has given us the chance to champion the achievements of employees like Stephen as well as showcasing the employment opportunities for people in his situation across our entire industry as well as our business.”
Ian Fereday, partnership manager at Remploy, added: “This initiative is a fantastic prompt to businesses in other sectors to place diversity at the top of their agenda and recognise the invaluable skills and expertise disabled people have to offer. Working with one of the largest employers in the UK gives us the room to find employment for those with disabilities in a variety of roles across the West Midlands and beyond.”
The final handover will take place in London in July when G4S will return the baton to Remploy.
To find out more about the employment opportunities at G4S, visit: www.g4s.uk.com