RNIB College Loughborough, based on Radmoor Road in Loughborough held their annual Partnerships for Employment Awards on 15 June 2011. The awards recognise organisations from Loughborough and beyond, who have helped College learners with disabilities to find employment, work placements and gain other essential employment skills. The awards were presented by Martin Traynor OBE Group Managing Director, Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce.

75% of blind and partially sighted people of working age are unemployed. In the current economic climate it is now even harder than ever to find employment if you have a disability. With the help of local organisations the RNIB College have now been supporting people with disabilities into work for the past 20 years.

This year's main award winner is Staples, the office suppliers based in Loughborough. We have a long standing relationship with Stefan and his team in Loughborough and during this time they have supported learners on work placements in a retail environment, this has improved learners' confidence and given a much needed help to the team at Staples.

Special Recognition Awards was presented to Fleet Auction Group in Coalville and The Gardening Project based in Loughborough.

Hermitage FM were awarded the Debut Award. They joined the employer partnerships this year and have already offered a year long placement to a learner with severe learning difficulties, building up his skills and confidence.

The College boasts an extremely successful work experience programme, during the last 12 months the College has worked with 47 organisations to offer 57 students 108 different work placements, mock interviews and employment.

Alicia Wisehall, Employment Placement Executive commented "this has been a great year for us, the award ceremony gives us the opportunity to thank all the employers we work with" she adds "with over 60 people here today, representing all sectors of business shows the breadth and depth of our programme, this enables us to offer every student a work placement."

If your organisation can help provide work placements or employment for young people and adults, or you would like more information about how you can help, please contact Alicia Wisehall on 01509 631 261.