MBiz

36 MBiz | may 2016 READY, WILLING & ABLE By Jim Timlick A national initiative aimed at increasing employment rates for people with intellectual disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has a powerful new ally in its corner — the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce (MCC). Ready, Willing & Able (RWA) was officially launched last year with a mandate to increase employment opportunities for people living with intellectual disabilities and ASD. The federally funded program works with the Canadian Association for Community Living, the Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorders Alliance and partner organizations in 20 communities across the country. Its goal is to find paid, meaningful employment for 1,200 individuals over the next three years, including here in Manitoba. Working with employment agency partners like SCE Lifeworks and Westman Employment Services, RWA staff assist in identifying individuals with skills that match an employer's needs. Those individuals then join other job candidates as part of a competitive interview process. Some of the employers RWA has worked with to date include Costco, Home Depot and Value Village. "It's not about charity. It's all about being the right fit and having the right skills," says Randy Horel, a labour market facilitator with the program. "Our job is to bring gifted people into organizations who are amazing workers. It's not about their disability, it's about the abilities they have to offer those organizations." To date, RWA has found employment for nearly two dozen people in Manitoba. That number is expected to increase significantly over the next few months, thanks in part to a recently developed relationship with the MCC. Last May, RWA sponsored a Chamber breakfast event in Winnipeg. That led to an invitation to be part of MCC's workforce committee and discussions with a number of influential business and political leaders. Those dialogs have since translated into a pilot project being developed with Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries and ongoing meetings with Mayor Brian Bowman about how the City of Winnipeg can be more inclusive in its hiring practices. "Having that kind of support from the Chamber, we've been able to fortify so many strong and important relationships, which has been instrumental," says Brian Rochat, a diversity and inclusion consultant who has done work on behalf of RWA. "In the long term it could lead to the employment of hundreds of people." MCC director of policy and communications Cory Kolt says Chamber members believe in the value of RWA's efforts and are eager to help in any way they can. "The interest shown from the Chamber network is more of a testament to the mandate of the RWA," Kolt says. "If an organization has a strong message with real value to the community, the Chamber network will step up and become more involved. "The voice RWA brings around the table of our workforce committee provides real value to a segment of the population that wants to work," Kolt adds. "You need a strong advocate to share your message to the masses and I think they provide that." Horel says Ready, Willing & Able's relationship with MCC has already helped open a number of doors to businesses across the province. While many are eager to learn more about the program, he acknowledges there has been trepidation on the part of some entrepreneurs because of concerns that their participation could lead to increased costs. While a business might have to make some minor alterations to a job description, Horel says the truth is that hiring someone with autism or an intellectual disability doesn't cost a business more and can actually end up helping them save money. He says several studies have shown that people with autism or intellectual disabilities tend to remain with an employer longer, which reduces hiring costs. They also tend to be absent less frequently, have better safety records and perform at the same level or higher than other workers, he adds. Some experts have predicted that Canada could be faced with a shortage of as many as one million skilled workers by 2020. Horel says people with intellectual disabilities and autism could help address that shortage; they just need to be given a chance. "We represent a pool of about 500,000 people," he says. "This is really an untapped workforce that can address that shortage … and help make businesses stronger, more decisive and more productive." ■ CHAMBER CHAMPIONS UNTAPPED WORKFORCE Randy Horel says hiring people with intellectual disabilities is good for business. Photo by Darcy Finley people with intellectual disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) he Manitoba Chambers of Ready, Willing & Able (RWA) was officially launched last year with a mandate to increase employment opportunities for people living with The federally funded program works with the Canadian Association for Community Living, the Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorders Alliance and partner organizations in 20 communities across the country. Its goal is to find paid, meaningful employment for 1,200 individuals over the next three years, including here in Manitoba. Working with employment agency partners like SCE Lifeworks Randy Horel says hiring people with intellectual disabilities is good for business. Photo by Darcy Finley

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