As part of its ongoing commitment to inclusion and diversity, Customade Group has been accepted as a Disability Confident employer.

The Disability Confident scheme was developed by employers and disabled people’s representatives to create a rigorous but accessible pathway to help employers recruit and retain great people.

The scheme aims to challenge attitudes; increase understanding of disability and improve employee morale and commitment by demonstrating fair treatment.

To become level one accredited, Customade businesses demonstrated that they met the standards for: inclusive and accessible recruitment; communicating vacancies; offering an interview to disabled people; providing reasonable adjustments and supporting existing employees.

The manufacturer also agreed to commit to offering people with disabilities work experience, work trials, paid employment, apprenticeships and job shadowing.

Will Gold, CEO of Customade, said: “We are committed to being an inclusive and welcoming workplace and are very pleased that this has been recognised with this first step on the Disability Confident pathway.

“Diversity can only improve us as a business and we will continue to be an inclusive and welcoming place to work.”

Rachel Rolfe, Customade’s HR director, added: “The Disability Confident scheme demonstrates our commitment to ensuring we recruit and retain the best people from the widest pool of talent.

“This commitment does not stop here. We will, with the practical help offered by the scheme, look to take further actions to ensure that we are an inclusive employer.”