Disabled people have to take advantage of their potential to apply for jobs at different companies and compete with their skills and capabilities, not only be considered for their physical condition, agreed Lorenza Larios, manager director of the Colabore Panamerican Center , and María Fernanda García, Human Resources Coordinator for the consulting company.
During an interview with EL UNIVERSAL to promote the first Career Fair for the Disabled of the Panamerican University (UP) , which will take place tomorrow, both representatives highlighted the importance of raising awareness among the representatives of companies when hiring disabled workers.
“They are not going to get a job because they are disabled, but because they are competent. Disabled people shouldn't just stretch out their arm, they should get a job. We have all been unemployed once, but there are jobs out there,” said Lorenza Larios.
“Companies shouldn't focus on their disabilities, but on their potential and on what they can do,” said Fernanda García. She added that many things have changed in favor of disabled people in the sector she works in, but there are still many who see disability as a limitation.
Larios said many disabled people have tried to apply for jobs unsuccessfully at one point in their lives, but the message they want to convey to them is that it's hard for any one to get a job, because there's a lot of competition; however, the more prepared people are, the better their chances will be, and that there are plenty of opportunities.
What is most important to Fernanda is that the disabled “never give up and that they are always supported by friends and family, because that is a motivation to keep searching.”
She said events should be considered, such as the one offered on this occasion by the Panamerican University through Colabore, where 27 companies and 10 organizations – including banks and international and national service rendering companies – will offer at least 30 vacancies each.
Interested individuals should bring their CV or a job application. All the disabled individuals currently living in Mexico City and neighboring boroughs will be interviewed, but they must be 18 years of age and have completed high school, as a minimum.
Those who attend the fair but aren't hired have the possibility of becoming candidates of Colabore, “which means we will keep them in our database. Thus, if a job vacancy opens at one of the almost 100 companies we have an agreement with, and the individual meets the profile, they will be put in contact with the company.”
The Colabore Panamerican Center is an initiative of the UP University which has been offering their consulting services to companies for 10 years. Their job is to advise company executives and Human Resources departments on how to interview disabled candidates and to update their civil protection programs accordingly. They also advise the candidates on job interviews and how to write their CV, in addition to providing English and computer courses.
The Career Fair will take place in the Central Garden of the Institution, located in Agusto Rodin 489, Insurgentes Mixcoac, from 12:30 to 18:00.
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