The launch of the 2% Employment Campaign countdown

The clock is ticking to the countdown of placements of 1200 persons with different types of disabilities into entry-level employment positions, some for the very first time of their lives. DWDE launched the 2% Employment Campaign with an associated target of 1200 people on Tuesday, 15th October at 07:45am at the Sinosteel Plaza, Rivonia Road, Sandton.

This 2% Employment Campaign is a partnership between Disability Workshop Development Enterprise (DWDE), The Jobs Fund, administered by the Development Bank of Southern Africa and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Disability. A cornerstone of the campaign is the signing up of member companies to join in the uptake of the 1200 candidates who have completed the DWDE work-readiness programme.

DWDE is a Disability Employment Support Service Provider. The chief executive officer Undere Deglon says, “We understand business concerns about the risks of employing first-time job seekers. Based on years of experience and lessons from other countries, we have developed a model to source, develop and place unemployed persons with disabilities into entry-level positions for the first time in their lives. “We can make this happen through member companies who join us in the battle against unemployment” Says Deglon.

Deglon says DWDE can also “successfully supply motivated and dedicated employees from this previously untapped sector of the South African market of talent pool”.

“We can source and train candidates for any type of entry-level position. These include call centre agents, cashiers, shop assistants, customer service agents, packers, cleaners, hotel and kitchen staff,” she says.

“DWDE can help you to meet your employment equity target of 2% of your workforce comprising persons with disabilities.”

Shuaib Chalklen, the UN Special Rapporteur on Disability, says they are supporting the campaign because of DWDE’s “commitment to the employment of people with disabilities and because it supports the government of SA to ensure that 2% of the workforce comprise of people with disabilities”.

“Employment of people with disabilities is a key indicator of the successful integration of people with disabilities in society,” says Chalklen.

“The overall aim of the DWDE campaign is to ensure real jobs for persons with disabilities and this is a huge challenge and a good reason for us all to collectively support DWDE and to use this opportunity that the campaign presents.”

DWDE will provide work readiness training to 1700 candidates and 1200 can be immediately placed in your company.

The campaign’s Gauteng launch hosted guest speakers Advocate Bokankatla Joseph Malatji from the South African Human Rights Commission and Luvuyo Mali, project manager at the The Jobs Fund.

Call the hotline number 086 722 7762 to set up an interview or email [email protected].