Fife Companies gain Scottish Business Diversity Awards

The Scottish Business Diversity Awards have seen three Fife businesses gain National recognition.  Abbeyford Caravan Company, Optos and Premier Engraving gained Awards at a ceremony held at the prestigious Westin Turnberry Hotel, Ayrshire as part of the Scottish Union of Supported Employment Conference.  The Awards recognise companies in Scotland who are doing the most to promote diversity in the workplace.  This is the second year of the Awards, which were attended by 200 people.

Abbeyford Caravan Company of Shell Bay Caravan Park, Elie, became the Overall Winners of the Scottish Business Diversity Awards.

Abbeyford employs 20 people and of those, 4 have a disability.  The recruitment process has been adapted to accommodate applicants requiring additional support, and the company has gone to great lengths to retain employees.  Support has included providing transport for several months for an employee who had great difficulty getting to work, and providing a mentor within the workplace to work alongside one employee, enabling him to carry out his duties to the highest standard.  The business has gained a vast amount of experience in supporting employees with a disability, and this enhances the quality of service they provide.  Abbeyford have been excellent at promoting diversity in the workplace and have done their utmost to accomodate the needs of every employeee.  Manager Kate Forbes stated "Fife EmployAbility Team have helped me to realise that we can employ disabled people.  We have time to train people at the beginning of the season and then we see what their capabilities are."

Optos of Dunfermline, became the Scottish Business Diversity Award Recruitment Winner.

Optos recruit with an open, fair and inclusive approach and always consider what adaptations or changes can be made to accommodate potential employees.  Disabled applicants are given more time to complete a manual dexterity test and are paired with another trainee in a 'buddy' system in the first few months of work, for additional support.

When asked what benefits the business has gained as a result of it's recruitment practice, employee Craig Beveridge stated "They employed a keen and dedicated member of staff ... me!"  Human Resources Manager Judith Adamson stated "We've been so impressed with the results we've had - the more we've put in, the more we've got out.  We have a more open and flexible view of taking on anybody with disabilities because it's been so successful."

Premier Engraving & Signs, Glenrothes gained a Commended in Retention Award

Premier Engraving of Glenrothes have shown strong dedication to retaining staff with disabilities.  They offer attendance management, have made adjustments to the workplace and provide a flexible return to work.   Employing someone with a hearing impairment has added a new dimension to their existing services, as he brought skills no-one else in their firm had.  Manager John Young, stated "Employing Stuart has added an extra part to our business and allowed us to expand, as he's the only hand-engraver in Fife.  He's now one of our top performers."

For more information about any of the Fife Winners or about the Scottish Business Diversity Awards, please contact Workable Solutions on 01592 415186.