Employers Recognized with Award
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR--Employers Recognized with Award for Championing Persons with Disabilities
Nine employers making life better for disabled persons in the province have received the Lieutenant Governor's Persons with Disabilities Employer Partnership Award.
The award was established to acknowledge and honour employers who have instituted and promoted best practices towards the employment, independence, and service to persons with disabilities. They were presented today, Dec. 3, at the 5th Annual Symposium on Inclusive Employment and Education: Ability Starts Here - Join the Conversation in Halifax.
"I am delighted to help recognize individuals and businesses that work to ensure all citizens are afforded the opportunity to play a meaningful role in our workforce," said Lt.-Gov. J.J. Grant.
"The largely untapped potential holds great promise for not only countless individuals, but also our province as a whole. The work of the Collaborative Partnership Network to help realize this potential is something all Nova Scotians can take pride in."
The network works to create and maintain lasting employment partnerships between persons with disabilities and employers.
Regional nominations were accepted with one provincial award for overall outstanding achievement, which was presented to Mike Mercier owner-operator of the Yarmouth Canadian Tire.
"Integrating persons with disabilities in our store has been a huge win for us," said Mr. Mercier. "We have been getting quality employees with great attitudes for our team."
West Nova Inclusive Employment Society nominated the Yarmouth Canadian Tire and has been working closely with their team to deliver the training required for clients to be placed in positions that ensure everyone experiences a successful outcome.
Eight other regional winners were recognized:
- Camp reachAbility, Antigonish
- Everything in a Jar, Amherst
- Holiday Inn Halifax Harbourview Hotel and Conference Centre, Dartmouth
- Johnson's Lawncare, Bridgewater
- Micco Companies, Halifax
- Pollett Drug Store, Sydney
- Valley Community Learning Association, Annapolis Valley
- Southwest Health - Digby General Hospital, Digby.
The awards coincide with the United Nations International Day for Persons with Disabilities Dec. 3.
There are 198,685 persons with disabilities in Nova Scotia. The Collaborative Partnership Network has worked with nearly 10,000 people who are either returning to work or entering the labour force and this number grows every year. Through the network people can gain access to the necessary training, job referrals and access to resources and supports necessary to join and remain in the workforce.