Employerability versus Employability

Event information

Inclusion Scotland has a new term called ‘employerability’ that’s all about the ability of an employer to welcome disabled people as equal and valued employees and support their growth and development in the workplace. Internationally, there’s a push on companies to publish disability representation through the Valuable 500 to address very poor employment rates. Join the panel to debate the effectiveness of these moves and how will the progressive policies filter down to day-to-day workplaces in reality?

This event is brought to you in partnership with Disability Equality Scotland and Inclusion Scotland. It is chaired by Gillian Mackay MSP from the Cross-Party Group on Disability.

This panel will have BSL interpretation

Panellists

Brian Scott

Brian is Head of Employability & Anti-Poverty at Glasgow Disability Alliance and has a Masters degree in Careers Guidance. With over 30 years of experience working in the field of advice, learning and social inclusion, Brian is recognised as an expert in the area of employability. Brian has considerable experience of providing coaching, counselling and employability support to disabled job seekers of all ages. He has advised the Scottish Government and employers in both the public and the private sector on employability policy and practice. Brian leads on GDA’s work on poverty and manages the Rights Now welfare rights project. Brian also leads on GDA’s work on adult protection and hate crime.

Paula Gray

Paula Gray is Head of HR at STV and leads on the company’s diversity, equality and inclusion strategy designed to attract and progress talent from the widest range of backgrounds, who reflect the communities STV serve both on and off-screen. With a background in legal services and media, Paula holds extensive generalist HR experience specialising in supporting business operations with employment advice, employee development, engagement and culture, and equality, diversity and inclusion.

Gary McLean

Gary McLean is currently an Inclusion Scotland intern with Save a Life for Scotland (SALFS) contributing to various projects whilst informing SALFS via providing a voice for those with a disability. Prior to this internship (also via Inclusion Scotland) He also interned with an MSP focusing on a project which involved research on Changing Places Toilets, this led to a presentation to the Scottish Government leading to real change in a manifesto pledge. Gary has a degree in History, Politics and International Relations and a real passion for politics.

Alex Wilson

My work experience to-date can best be described as eclectic. With a background in Human Resource Management, I lived and worked in London for 10 years, with my last role as a Search Consultant. Moving back to Edinburgh, I set up and grew my own HR Consultancy with offices in Edinburgh and London. With a young family, I became tired of travelling to London, sold my business and went on to build and open a soft play centre for kids in Scottish Borders. I lost my business during financial crash in 2010 and had to start my career again but no one wants to know you when you've failed. I worked in various roles, as a Carer - most difficult yet rewarding role - and worked 12 hour shifts in a tattie factory !
At Inclusion Scotland, my role allows me to work with employers across Scotland, supporting them to become more accessible and inclusive. On a personal front, I'm a failed politician, Scout Leader, husband and dad to 3 challenging but adorable kids.