OREANDA-NEWS. More than 170 delegates from business, education and the government, attend conference aimed at developing employment opportunities for students with visible, and non-visible, disabilities.

Nick Winser, UK Executive Director of National Grid, hosts the inaugural Working Together conference at National Grid House. The conference, held in partnership with KPMG, aims to explore ways in which employers and communities can benefit from a change of attitude around the employment of disabled people. Delegates will also be sharing best practice around developing opportunities for disabled and autistic students and graduates.

The conference comes on the back of National Grid's highly successful EmployAbility pilot scheme. The scheme, run in conjunction with a number of schools and colleges near National Grid's Warwick headquarters, is helping students with disabilities and autistic disorders find internships and roles with employers including National Grid.

Nick Winser, Executive Director of National Grid UK, said: "Providing supported internships for students with disabilities, including autism, has delivered amazing results. The students have developed their confidence beyond expectations. Our employees have been inspired by the students' 'can do' attitude and we have identified long term roles to match the skills and aspirations of the students that have been with us. This programme is something we are planning to grow significantly and we would encourage other businesses to do likewise. It only brings benefits."

Stephen Frost, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at KPMG, said: "Businesses are increasingly realising the values and benefits that come with recruiting from a diverse talent pool. A diverse workforce means diverse ideas, diverse skills and the ability to reflect and do business with a diverse society. It is great to be involved with the EmployAbility event and to see the results that this scheme is already having."

Mike Penning, Minister for Disabled People said: "Employing disabled people is not only the right thing to do, but makes business sense. It extends the talent, experience and diversity of the workforce and means businesses can connect to disabled consumers - people who spend over £80bn a year."