Employers Disability Network - News
The Employers Disability Network have held several events over recent months. Details of which are below. For upcoming events check out the What's Happening section of the website.
Auckland
The Auckland Chamber of Commerce hosted the first networking evening of the Employers' Disability Network on 31 July 2008. Michael Barnett, Chief Executive of the Chamber, opened the evening for employers by talking about the benefits of increasing access to employment for people from a range of backgrounds and stressed the importance of a public-private partnership to achieve this.
Philip Patston, Director of Diversity Works and comedian, spoke about the benefits of designing a world which reflects the diversity of experience of everyone in society. Patricia Reade, Deputy CE, Work and Income, spoke for the Ministry of Social Development about the Employers' Disability Network and encouraged the employers present to join in the initiative.
Employers' Disability Network event, 31 July 2008, Auckland
Pictured: Patricia Reade, Deputy Chief Executive, Ministry of Social Development
Michael Barnett, Chief Executive, Auckland Chamber of Commerce
Stephen Cunningham, General Manager Employer Services, Ministry of Social Development
Employers' Disability Network event, 31 July 2008, Auckland
Pictured: Hon Mark Gosche MP
Philip Patston, Director, Diversity Works
Wellington
Business New Zealand hosted a second event for employers in Wellington on 12 August 2008. Phil O'Reilly, Chief Executive of Business NZ opened by saying how New Zealand's success rested on its ability to draw on the skills of all its people in order to achieve high productivity and competitive advantage. Disabled people's potential is too often missed and he welcomed the Network as an opportunity for employers to lead to change this.
Jeana Abbott, Workforce Planning Leader at ACC, spoke about how ACC is working to develop its workforce to both more accurately reflect its customers and respond to strategic changes in the labour market, including working to attract more disabled people and make it easier for them to contribute to business success.
Mike Gourley, President of the Disabled Persons Assembly and reporter at Radio New Zealand, spoke about the skills disabled people have to bring to the workplace. He welcomed the role of the Network in making it easier for employers to recognise that disabled people represent an opportunity rather than a problem.
Patricia Reade closed the event by welcoming the leadership of Business NZ in promoting public-private partnership, stressing the practical role the network will play and encouraging employers to take part.
Pictured: Hon Ruth Dyson MP, Minister for Social Development and Employment
Phil O'Reilly, Chief Executive, Business New Zealand
Bruce Robertson, Chief Executive, Hospitality Association of New Zealand
