"The Open Doors Initiative members helped over 2,300 people on pathways to work last year with 33 companies. Membership and support have since increased to 45 organisations (a mix of multinational, SME, education and semi-state), Government departments and 24 Supporting Partners including various NGOS to create pathways to employability. We are delighted to be now working with IAPI's members as well to further our work." Jeanne McDonagh (CEO Open Doors)
Our key role is to support marginalised groups in accessing training, work experience, mentoring and employment. These include:
- Refugee, asylum seekers and migrants.
- Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- People with all disabilities
These groups face higher barriers to employment than most others, with alarming statistics backing up the lack of opportunities available to these communities.
Even before Covid, nearly 70% of people with a disability couldn’t gain access to the labour market. An early school leaver is twice as likely to be unemployed than another person aged 18-24. Employers are not sure about the permits and visas required for hiring Refugees, Asylum seekers and migrants and how much effort or cost is involved.
There is a business case for inclusion and diversity – A study of 1000 companies across 12 countries by McKinsey found that companies with ethnic and cultural diversity had 33% increase in performance.
It positively affects the bottom line, increases employee morale, develops lateral thinking which leads to innovation and paves the way for others from different backgrounds - “if you can’t see it, you can’t be it”.
We will be in touch over the coming months as we roll out our Open Doors program. In the meantime if you would like any further information regarding this initiative you can contact Keith@iapi.com.
