A social enterprise is creating 15 new jobs for people with disabilities or health conditions. The posts are with Ulster Supported Employment Ltd’s (Usel) secure document shredding business, UShredNI and are a result of the company securing a major, three-year £317,000 contract from the Northern Ireland Executive to destroy confidential documents held by Stormont Departments and other key Government bodies.
The company, which has implemented the strictest industry compliance and security measures, is one of the first to win Northern Ireland Government tender opportunities reserved for organisations dedicated to supporting disabled and disadvantaged people in the workforce.
UShredNI, which was formed in January 2020, currently employs 16 people in a state-of-the-art operation that disposes of confidential material in a secure environment and recycles it in line with Usel’s commitment to green principles and the Circular Economy.
Scott Jackson, the Head of Manufacturing and Recycling at Usel said, this was the largest contract that UShredNI had secured to date and saw it as a launching pad to win more contracts in the public and private sectors. It already provides shredding services for councils, schools, banks and a range of blue-chip companies and smaller businesses and as UShredNI continues to grow over the next two years, it will create new jobs for people with disabilities.
He said: “Everything we do centres around developing a greener society while at the same time creating a brighter future for people with health conditions and disabilities by providing sustainable jobs and excellent training and support. We are dedicated to recycling as much material as possible to reduce the reliance on landfill. One hundred per cent of the shredded documents will be sent to paper mills in Great Britain to make products such as napkins, kitchen roll and toilet paper.”
Usel Chief Executive, Bill Atkinson said the contract would shore up its position as a main provider of employment for people with long term health conditions and disabilities. He added: “We were delighted to have been awarded this contract which has allowed us to further extend our provision having been awarded several significant contracts over the year. This contract will allow us to secure jobs for people with disabilities or health conditions during this difficult time with the opportunity to create further jobs in the future.”
Keep up to date with the latest news and views on the NI job market and more by following the nijobfinder blog.
Follow nijobfinder on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to see the latest jobs and to ensure your dream job won’t pass you by.