Businesses and other employers in Orkney are being offered an opportunity to discover how they can recruit valuable staff - while helping people with disabilities and other support needs find work.

Employability Orkney provides a new service designed to match disadvantaged people with job opportunities across the islands.

Job coaches are on hand to offer support in the workplace, allowing each individual to gain the confidence and competence they need to become valued members of staff.

This allows employers to concentrate on running their business, confident that their new worker is being supported as they settle into the job.

Companies and organisations are being invited to a launch event at Kirkwall Town Hall on Friday, October 27, where the Employability Orkney team will explain the benefits of the free service.

They will be joined by a South Ronaldsay man with support needs, who will share his experiences of how the initiative works.

With the help of an Employability Orkney job coach, 22-year-old Stuart Lamont is gaining valuable work experience at the Peedie Breeks Nursery, Kirkwall. He said: "I always wanted to get involved in child care, so it's really good they've given me the chance to do something I really enjoy."

Nursery manager Karen Petrie added: "With up to 40 children in the building, this can be a really busy place. Stuart is great with the kids and keen to help us in every way possible. Everyone notices he's always smiling when he's here - it's good to see him so happy doing something he really wants to do."

Employablity Orkney project manager Colin Boxer said the aim of the new service was to break down the barriers that might prevent someone with support needs - such as a disability - from finding work.

"We estimate there are several hundred people in the Orkney community who are looking for the right chance to break into the jobs market," he said. "They represent an untapped talent pool for employers, particularly if they're experiencing recruitment problems. Our job is to provide the support people might need when starting a new job - and to tailor that support to the needs of each individual."

This is where the Employability Orkney job coaches come in. They work one-to-one with each client, assessing how any difficulties that may have prevented them finding work can be overcome.

The job coaches look for suitable job opportunities, then work closely with potential employers both before and after their clients start work.

"It's all about matching the right person to the right job," added Mr Boxer. "We reduce the time an employer might need to spend helping a new member of staff settle in - by supporting our clients as they get used to their new job. We can also help existing employees who through a change in circumstances - an illness or disability, for instance - who may now need additional support."

Employability Orkney has been set up with support from Orkney Enterprise, Orkney Islands Council, the Community Regeneration Fund, the European Social Fund and Jobcentre Plus.

Orkney Enterprise development manager Doreen Rendall said: "We felt there was a real need in Orkney for a service like this.

"The approach Employability Orkney is taking has worked well elsewhere in Scotland. The great thing is that there's a double benefit. It helps people who want to work find a job - and helps employers overcome any difficulties they're facing in recruiting staff." 

Joy Buckley, human resources manager at Kirkwall's Somerfield supermarket, will also share her experiences at the launch event.

She said: "We employ three members of staff with support needs. Two of them have been with us for many years and all three are valued and valuable members of staff - the sort of people who never let you down.

"As a supermarket, we serve people from all walks of life, so it's good that our staff reflect the community around us - including those among us who have a disability of one sort or another."

The event at Kirkwall Town Hall takes place in the Supper Room at 12pm on Friday October 27.