This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Environment and economic growth
15/08/2003
Protecting Scotland's environment can go hand-in-hand
with economic growth and increasing job opportunities for
all Scots, First Minister Jack McConnell said today.
He was speaking as he opened a new extension to the
Remploy factory in Wishaw that incorporates a unit to
recycle household kitchen machinery and a training and
development centre for Remploy's disabled staff.
Mr McConnell said:
"This new recycling unit is an excellent example of how
sustainable use of our planet's precious resources can
benefit our communities, boost our economic growth and
create job opportunities for all.
"On one hand it prevents white goods like cookers and
washing machines adding to Scotland's abysmal record on
landfill and makes the wasteful production of brand new
goods unnecessary. On the other hand it offers people with
disabilities the chance to put their talents to good
use.
"In order to achieve our ambitious environmental and
economic goals, the Scottish government is committed to
improving the skills and raising the aspirations of all
Scots. By further investing in the training and development
of its staff, Remploy is putting its workers, the company
and Scotland in an even stronger position to flourish and
succeed."
Remploy has been manufacturing in Lanarkshire since
1949. It has relocated from Shields Road, Motherwell to
Excelsior Park, Wishaw.
Employees are recruited under the Government's WORKSTEP
programme which aims to provide support in jobs for people
with disabilities who have more complex barriers to finding
and keeping work but who, with the right support, are able
to make a valuable contribution in their job.
Remploy is a Non Departmental Public Body (NDPB)
operating as a commercial company, limited by guarantee and
is sponsored by Jobcentre Plus.
The company receives an annual grant of £115 million
from the UK Government to enable it to employ disabled
people in the WORKSTEP programme throughout Britain.