With more job vacancies than unemployed people in the UK for the first time on record, staff recruitment is a real challenge for many businesses.

Portland Charity, with support from the East Midlands Chamber, is hosting a free regional conference to promote the real benefits of employing people with disabilities on Friday, 4th November, from 9am to 1.30pm.

The high-profile conference is aimed at HR directors, chief executives, and anyone in business who manages staff recruitment.  It will give valuable insight into Government policy, practical tools and strategies to overcome recruitment challenges.

The event is supported by an A-list panel of guest speakers, including Sir John Peace, Lucy Robinson from the East Midlands Chamber, and Ben Horner, of Boots UK and ROI, who will share inspirational and thought-provoking accounts of how employing skilled people with disabilities can really help businesses and colleagues thrive.

There are many benefits of employing people with disabilities such as: having access to a wider talent pool of candidates, higher staff retention rates and a more motivated workforce, mirroring the diversity of your customers, enhancing your reputation and actively effecting change against a long-term national challenge.

Mark Dale, Portland College principal and chief executive, said: “We are proud to be hosting this conference to support our charitable mission of promoting disability employment.  We’ve all heard national media reports that candidates are in short supply, however, there is still a huge untapped and undervalued labour pool of at least 1 million skilled disabled people ready and highly motivated to work.

“Over the years, the Government has launched several schemes to reduce unemployment for disabled people yet the disability employment gap has only reduced by 6% since 2013, and it still stands at 28%.

“So, the only way we can drive a step-change for this disadvantaged group is to tackle this challenge ourselves.  As employers, we can adapt our own recruitment practices and lead by example, showcasing the huge benefits of employing disabled people.

“I am inviting all businesses who are interested in helping us make this change to our conference, where you can access the help and support available to become a more accessible employer, overcome your own recruitment challenges and make a real difference to the lives of disabled people.”

To find out more about this event and to book your place visit www.portland.ac.uk/employability-conference.