Mr. Adrian Stewart:

The Deputy asked for more information on the transitional workforce. We have long identified a gap whereby employers are keen to do something to employ people with disabilities but have fears and uncertainties about doing so. They have their own fears and concerns, as well as concerns for their workforce. We looked at this and saw a gap where employers needed to have face-to-face experience of working alongside people with disabilities in a low-risk environment. We have developed a transitional workforce model. We have done proof of concept and it works. We have marketed it to employers and there seems to be a great appetite for it. The way it will work is that somebody with a disability will be employed initially by Rehab but will physically work with an employer as if he or she had a job there. After a period, the person would move on and take up employment with that particular employer. We are delighted with the feedback from companies. They state that in a time of labour shortages and great difficulties in trying to find staff, this is an opportunity for them to do something that makes their workforce more diverse and inclusive.