The "untapped resource" that is helping David fill the skills gap

In a county with as high an employment-rate as Warwickshire, recruitment remains a problem for many businesses - but one is benefiting from an "untapped resource" which they strongly recommend to others.

Recruiting is as difficult in the hotel industry as in any sector but the Holiday Inn, Kenilworth/Warwick, has discovered a little-heralded source of skills to very positive effect. For several years the hotel has employed a number of people with learning difficulties - and they have become highly-valued members of the team, according to general manager David Myskow.

"Recruiting is always difficult in this sector," he said. "But for some time we have employed young men and women with learning disabilities and they have been brilliant for us.

"It is the right thing to do to give them opportunities but we are not doing it for philanthropic reasons. As a business, we pride ourselves on delivering high quality service and these guys do that. They fill important roles for us and I'm delighted with the quality of their work."

The Holiday Inn, Kenilworth, works with Hereward College for Young People with Disabilities and Additional Needs and is looking into setting up links with other colleges. They employ the young people on internships, work-placements or work experience.

"In my experience they just want opportunities and react very well to that," said Mr Myskow."It takes some of them slightly longer to integrate but their 'disabilities' come with real strengths. Many are very task-driven which is fantastic for us.

"We had one guy managing the breakfast buffet and he was excellent, making sure everything was stocked up and liaising with the breakfast chef - exactly what you want. You don't want people being distracted.

"Another guy was brilliant at filing and that was a huge help to us. Work that otherwise would have piled up was done to a very high standard and that was really appreciated by the team - not to say the auditors when they came.

"We currently employ three people with learning disabilities, working 30 hours a week, all in key roles. They are vital and popular members of the team and literally help keep the team and the hotel going."

Fay Winterburn, a Business Skills Advisor based in Warwickshire County Council's Economy & Skills office, said: "It is great to see this enterprising approach from the Holiday Inn, Kenilworth. Warwickshire County Council is committed to doing all we can to help businesses fill the skills gap and this an excellent way to utilise the skills which people with learning disabilities undoubtedly possess while giving them opportunities to start a career."

Fay Winterburn works with employers to identify the skills they need in their business and how they can access them. For details of how she can help you, please email: faywinterburn@warwickshire.gov.uk.

For more information about all the county council does to promote skills in the workplace and equip young people with the skills they need, please visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/skillsforemployment