Employ and support people with disabilities

JP Corry is one of Northern Ireland’s leading builder’s merchants, supplying building materials to the trade, self-build, DIY, and architectural markets. The business operates from a network of 17 branches across Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man, employing around 265 staff.

Stephen Gibson, Branch Manager at JP Corry in Dromore, explains how the organisation has adapted their employment policies and recruitment processes to take on and support a person with a disability.

Reducing barriers for people with disabilities

"As a company, we strive to be inclusive and diverse. We want to make it easy for everyone to access our services, whether as a customer, supplier, or employee."

"JP Corry is proud to support the JAM Card scheme, which helps people with communication barriers and hidden disabilities receive tailored customer care. As a company whose purpose is to 'build our future by helping others build theirs', we believe in providing employment opportunities to disabled people."

"Our human resources team works closely with organisations that represent minority groups, such as Disability Action, NOW Group, and WOMEN'STEC, to ensure that they are informed of our employment opportunities."

Using work trials in our business

"JP Corry has equal opportunities policies and diversity training to ensure that we recruit staff fairly. Offering a work trial to potential recruits, particularly disabled people, has benefited both the individual and the business."

"Working with Disability Action, we set up our first work trial, where a disabled person came to work with us to understand what it would be like to be employed in our company before applying for a job. The experience was positive, and we recognised the potential of the person during the work trial. They subsequently applied for and secured the job successfully."

"Other branches of JP Corry have also seen the advantages of work trials and have adopted a similar approach by using the Work Experience Programme provided by the Department for Communities to offer employment opportunities."

Accessing local help and support

"Many local organisations have supported us along our journey with work trials. Some employees have completed a qualification in customer service through the NOW Group, providing insight into how disabled people can contribute to a high level of customer service. Disability Action has also been available to advise us when needed."

"To keep our organisation up-to-date and engaged, our HR team frequently attends employment conferences and training events. This continuous improvement activity along with the good relationships we have built with relevant charities and business support organisations ensures we have the support we need."

Lessons learned

"The work trials have benefited the organisation and the staff that we have hired. Some work trials will not always result in longer-term opportunities, but that can be positive as you haven't started formal training or invested significant time and resources into developing an employee who does not fit the job. It is better to discover at the trial stage whether it will work rather than going through a recruitment and onboarding process for it not to work out and needing to go back to the beginning of the recruitment process."

"Adapting our HR policies and practices to make it easier to recruit and support disabled people has enabled us to reach another talent pool and has enhanced our recruitment strategy. Our Dromore branch has benefited by getting a brilliant recruit who connects and engages with our customers. He brings positive energy to our team, and we have a better focus and understanding."