A GROUND-BREAKING project pioneered in Bury came under the spotlight at a major European conference in Finland.

And two representatives from Bury Employment Support and Training (EST), which is involved in the innovative scheme, took part in the five-day event on supported employment, in Helsinki.

Bury EST manager Huw Davies and and EST employer consultant Fred Bowen presented a session on the Embracing Diversity project. Mr Bowen said: "The main aim of this project is to combat barriers and discrimination in the labour market.

"The project has been instrumental in bringing together employers in a forum to work together to consider and exchange best practice in managing the diversity of the workplace."

Delegates were interested to learn of the development and progression of the Embracing Diversity Employer Forum. It meets quarterly and brings together public and private employers from a cross section of businesses and service providers in Bury and Greater Manchester.

The conference was attended by more than 400 delegates from as far as America and Australia.

Delegates were invited to attend a variety of workshops designed to discuss and examine the effectiveness of supported employment on a European level.

The team at Bury EST has assisted hundreds of disabled people to find work and is currently piloting support for the Asian community and care-leavers.

It is also piloting a job-retention service, in collaboration with the primary care trust.

Mr Bowen added: "Events such as the Helsinki conference help us to share what we are doing and look at good practice from other countries."

Contact Mr Bowen on 253 6588, e-mail fred@buryest.org.uk or visit www.buryest.org.uk and www.embracingdiversity.org