SECRETARY OF STATE VISITS REMPLOY

Mr Alan Johnson MP, the secretary of State for work and pensions visited on 23rd February 2005, joined the work force at Barking to mark a very special milestone and celebrated 60 years of Remploy. He raised a specially commissioned flag to signal the 12 month celebration of the Diamond Jubliee of Remploy.

Remploy Barking was established as part of a network of factories throughout the country to employ ex-service men and women injured in the Second World War. Barking factory provides jobs for disabled people and helps the local community.

Today, Remploy’s brief is far wider; nationally, it provides jobs and training in all parts of the economy as well as in its own factories. Last year, it helped into work more than 12,000 people with a range of physical, sensor and mental disabilities.

The company employs 5,700 disabled people in more than 80 factories and its managed services division. Increasingly, it is focussing on finding disabled people jobs with other employers. Last year, it helped 3,500 people into jobs with outside employers such as BT, ASDA and Christian Salvesen, and supported a further 2,800 people into their work.

Secretary of State Alan Johnson said: “I am delighted to be here to mark the 60th anniversary of Remploy and to acknowledge the valuable work they do in providing employment opportunities for disabled people.

“Some employers still need to be convinced that there are real business benefits to employing disabled people and Remploy is testimony to the fact that no company can afford to ignore the skills, energy and creativity of disabled people.”

Remlpoy’s Chief Executive Bob Warner said: “Remploy is a unique company – not only because of the diverse range of successful businesses we run and services we offer, but also because of the people we employ. “They are skilled and motivated and share our aspiration to continually improve the company – and they happen to be disabled. In 60 years we have come a long way, and I congratulate each of my colleagues for part they have played.

Mr Alan Johnson toured the factory, met all the workers, Team Leaders and managers. Remploy should be proud of their achievements in helping the workforce with IT training skills and providing jobs in the community. Presently Remploy is focussing on training all the employees with NVQ Level 1 & 2 and teaching British Sign Language at the Barking site. All the employees now have a greater understanding of health and safety procedures, quality, teamwork and the continuous improvement to be a successful business site.