Timbersource, founded in 2000 in Gillingham and now based in Shepton Mallet, has become one of a select group of Disability Confident Leaders after being peer-assessed by the Wells Job Centre Plus.
A family-owned company, now in its 19th year, Timbersource is a leading timber supplier in the UK supplying bespoke timber to trade and retail customers; Timbersource can provide products such as skirting, cladding, worktops, architrave and much more, made to a bespoke measurements as soon as the same working day.
Disability Confident is an employer scheme backed by the Government and championed by Job Centre Plus teams across the country. The purpose behind the scheme is to ensure that companies recruit and retain disabled people and people with health conditions.
The scheme starts with the ‘Committed’ level where employers can undertake a self-assessment of their company’s recruitment and employment practices and make certain pledges going forward. To progress to the ‘Employer’ level, companies must promise to undertake certain other tasks such as working with their local Job Centre Plus to assist in the recruitment of disabled people.
To become a ‘Leader’ a company’s self-assessments must be peer-reviewed by an existing ‘Leader’ organisation or another approved body. The Company must show evidence of their recruitment and employment practises to show that they are accessible for all.
When asked about the importance of the scheme, Timbersource’s Operations Director Sam Franklin said, “the scheme means a lot to me personally, but in the wider business context and in such a tough labour market that businesses are facing now, why would any business professional not want to ensure they are getting the very best talent?”.
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