Local workers meet Vince Cable MP
February 21, 2009 7:00 PM
Employees of ASDA in Bearsden met with Vince Cable and Jo Swinson MP on Saturday to discuss their concerns about the recession.
The Liberal Democrats' Shadow Chancellor and Deputy Leader spent the weekend in East Dunbartonshire focusing on the effects of the economic downturn in Scotland and listening to the concerns of local workers.
On Saturday afternoon, Vince and Jo met with local representatives of Remploy, a specialist provider of employment services to people experiencing complex barriers to employment, as well as ASDA employees, some of whom were placed by Remploy. Their discussion in the café at ASDA concentrated on how Remploy supports local jobseekers with disabilities and health conditions to find mainstream employment, especially given the difficult economic climate.
Ahmed Yousaf, manager of Remploy's recruitment branch in Glasgow and its newly opened office in Partick said:
"The visit was very valuable in stressing that now more than ever, providers like Remploy must ensure jobseekers have the skills and abilities needed by local employers. Working in partnership with a proactive employer like ASDA has led to a commitment of a minimum of 400 new jobs for Remploy candidates in the next year. ASDA values the skills of our candidates and has shown there can be good news for jobseekers despite the recession."
David Paterson, Scottish Affairs Manager at ASDA said:
"It was great to welcome Jo Swinson and Vince Cable to ASDA to meet our colleagues and learn more about our work with Remploy to get disabled people into employment. This year we will create 7,000 new jobs across the UK at a time when many companies are having to lay people off. We will also be helping 3,000 long-term unemployed get back into work by specifically targeting them for existing vacancies in our business. Our track record of recruiting and retaining people is second to none, which is why we have the lowest turnover and most motivated workforce in British retail. Last year we worked with Remploy to get more than 200 people into work with ASDA and this year our target is to place a further 500 people through Remploy. Our partnership has been a real success and we believe it will go from strength to strength."
Commenting, Vince Cable said:
"I'm extremely pleased to see that both Remploy and ASDA are being so proactive in providing skills training and getting people back into work. There is no doubt the Scottish economy has been hit hard by the economic downturn, but I hope people will be reassured to learn that some major employers are still recruiting on a large scale."
Commenting, Jo Swinson said:
"This was an important opportunity for Vince to hear directly from workers in East Dunbartonshire, and for ASDA employees to share their success stories. Many local people have expressed their concern to me about their job security or difficulty they are having finding work, so it has been encouraging to hear some good news here today and to know that new jobs are being created in the area."
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