HELP us to help them!

That was the clarion call delivered to major Bury employers this week at a conference aimed at propelling various disadvantaged people into work.

Tuesday's (May 28) employer forum was staged by Bury Employment Support & Training (EST) which is spearheading a three year £1.5 million initiative, entitled Embracing Diversity.

And the main objective of the scheme is to secure work for a range of people, including young people leaving care and those from the Asian community.

Bury EST already has a formidable track record in this sphere, having helped secure more than 100 jobs since it was launched in 1993.

At this week's conference at the Village Hotel, Bury, more than 65 delegates heard from a range of knowledgeable practitioners from agencies such as Jobcentre Plus and the Disability Rights Commission.

Main speaker was nationally renowned trainer and presenter Philip Friend who has been a consultant on disability issues to a range of well-known companies.

The three year initiative is aimed at persuading local companies to examine their current human resource and recruitment policies in terms of employing disadvantaged people.

Huw Davies, manager of Bury EST, has just been appointed chairman of the national body, the Association for Supported Employment.

He told the delegates: "The conference is aimed at employers. Without them, there are no jobs for the clients who are seeking work.

"Bury EST is increasingly getting involved in working with new groups of people, such as youths leaving care, the Asian community and people whose jobs are at risk because of acquiring a disability in adult life."

Commenting on Bury EST's success in gaining employment for more than 100, mostly disabled people, Mr Davies continued: "Many of the people assisted have been deemed as unemployable in the past. The individuality of this service demonstrates that assumptions like this can be misleading and damaging for the individuals concerned.

"In Bury, the Welfare to Work Joint Investment Plan is pulling organisations and service users together to plan proper pathways to employment.

"This conference and the services offered by Bury EST fit into this strategy."

Mr Davies added: "Information is key to effective planning and we hope that the information and discussions will help local employers to consider diversity issues in a structured way.

"Bury EST are setting up an employer forum on diversity to help employers identify and exchange the best of human resource practice." The three year employment diversity project, funded through the European Social Fund, is being carried out by Bury EST in partnership with Stockport Employment Service.