What employers need to know

Do you have a job opening to fill?

Career Connections provides a free service to assist employers in finding the right employee to complement your team and business. We currently (2018) support up to 300 individuals at any given time in securing employment. Let us help you make the connection with your next employee.

Each of our clients identifies with specific employment skills and experiences, and with that information we are able to facilitate the right match for our client and your business.

We offer supports such as:

  • Pre-employment training and guidance;
  • On-the-job training and supports;
  • Ongoing direct support for both the client and business.

Our goal is to create successful employment placements with our business partnerships. If you would like more information on available services, supports, or programs, please contact us.

Career Connections assists employers

Professionals working in the field of Supported Employment/Employment Inclusion recognize that employment service outcomes for people with disabilities require the engagement and participation of employers.

We also recognize that although the foundation of our work is to assist people with disabilities to identify, pursue, acquire, and maintain employment, employers must be equally served through this work and through our service commitment to them.

Career Connections can assist businesses with recruitment, onboarding, and retention. We also play a role in building employer capacity around diversity and inclusion. Career Connections staff are encouraged to reflect an understanding of the businesses they engage, responsiveness to their personnel management needs, and a strong customer service ethic.

Community partnerships – Considerations for employers

The service provider:

  • has references from other employers;
  • has a formalized program which provides a range of recruitment, onboarding and retention services;
  • has an established system for workplace talent-matching and ensuring talent-readiness;
  • has documentation to verify this job target as an appropriate talent match (action/investment plan, etc.);
  • has staff and resources to assist with orientation, training, and mentorship / natural support development;
  • will support the employer to communicate expectations and address concerns if required.

Return on investment

What is the return on investment or benefits to employers for hiring people with disabilities? The following are some of the benefits as reported by employers.

Hiring people with disabilities:

  • contributes to a better rate of attendance, punctuality, employee morale, teamwork, and safety in the workplace;
  • often leads to a reduction in staff turnover; people with disabilities have proven to be skilled and loyal employees;
  • shows that the company values diversity and is a tangible example of good corporate citizenship;
  • increases the purchasing power for individuals with a disability and their families;
  • reflects the demographics of your community, and enhances the community’s understanding of people with disabilities;
  • may free up resources to complete other tasks and increase productivity;
  • allows the person with a disability to be a role model to the staff and community and others with a disability;
  • may include free corporate marketing when your new employee talks about where they work;
  • may require accommodations for your new employee, but the change may make your company more robust, innovative, and adaptive.

What employers say…

“We have found that companies that perform well in disability are highly responsive to their customers, and thus outperform peers in revenue growth.” — Rich Donovan, Founder of Fifth Quadrant Analytics

Mark Wafer, owner of seven Tim Horton stores and a Champion for Rotary at Work in Toronto has hired 86 people with disabilities for over 20 years. He had this to say about one of his employees: “I have watched Clint gain confidence and independence as well as become more mature and responsible during his 16 years with me at Tim Hortons. He deserves and appreciates the opportunity to work more than anyone I know.”