Enable shortlisted for 2018 Recruitment Industry Disability Initiative Awards

Shropshire Council’s supported employment service, Enable, has been shortlisted for the 2018 Recruitment Industry Disability Initiative (RIDI) Awards for their IPS Mental Health Employment Service.

Following a rigorous and robust judging process, RIDI has released its eagerly anticipated shortlist for the 2018 RIDI Awards. As in previous years, the calibre and breadth of entries presented a challenge for the independent judging panel.

Now in their fourth year, the RIDI Awards celebrate progress and recognise the success of organisations that are making headway in increasing the inclusion of professionals with disabilities.

The 2018 entries came from organisations across the UK and from many new sectors, including transport, engineering, retail and professional services, reflecting RIDI’s sustained programme of outreach activity in 2017-18.

This year, the not-for-profit organisation has welcomed new judges: Simon Fawkes-Underwood, Head of Talent at E.ON, Jane Hatton, Director at Evenbreak, Julian John, MD at Delsion and Sharon Pegg, Group Inclusion & Diversity Manager at Co-operative Group.

Jane Hatton, who established Evenbreak as the only non-profit job portal run by individuals with disabilities, for those with a disability, in 2011, has also been appointed to the RIDI Executive Board.

Congratulating the finalists, Kate Headley, Chair of Judging Panel, said:

“The RIDI awards are part of a year-long campaign to create disability-confident recruiters. From small beginnings in 2011, 2018 has seen the broadest ever spread of entries which now include major retailers, construction companies and yet again we doubled the number of recruitment companies entering. Judging was challenging; they are all winners in our view, and there is some fantastic learning to be shared on awards night.

“Thank you as always to our wonderful volunteer judges from external organisations, our executive board and generous sponsors who make continuing this incredible journey possible. We are not there yet, but if this year’s finalists are anything to go by we are getting much closer to creating a disability confident landscape for jobseekers with disabilities.”

Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on the evening of Thursday 15 March 2018 in central London. The winner of the Greatest Impact award, which is voted for by the judging panel and audience, will also be revealed on the night.