New diverse hiring program gives access to employment to differently abled talent

*Updated on June 7, 2023 to include latest data.

Fragomen’s Kochi office has introduced a new training and employment initiative known as the Special Training and Employability Program (STEP) to provide training and career opportunities for Persons with Disability (PwD). The program, which launched in India in March 2021, is part of our continued focus on diversity, equity and inclusion.

Partner Saju James identified an opportunity for Fragomen to become more accessible and the STEP program was developed. We worked with a number of NGOs to identify PwDs who may not otherwise have access to corporate training or employment.

Through the STEP program, we provide training to qualified persons with disabilities in our society. This will empower them to be engaged in tasks that can be handled with computer skills and attention to detail. In the first phase, we on-boarded 26 trainees by the end of 2021 and gradually expanded over the past two years. As of May 2023, there are more than 70 active STEP members. Post-training, we offer job opportunities to qualified trainees with matching skill sets. Using their newly acquired skill sets and exposure to corporate training, the trainees are also free to explore other avenues of employment.

Each of the new trainees has a STEP program coordinator assigned as a "buddy" to provide support and guidance. Our trainees are either orthopedically challenged or hearing-impaired, and we provide support to meet their additional needs. Presently, all members have the option to work remotely and can continue the model based on physical and conveyance comfort.

Partner Saju James said, “We recognized the importance of accessibility. The motivation behind creating the STEP program was to provide opportunities for people that didn't previously have access to corporate employment but who have a lot to offer and have the skillsets needed to carry out these corporate roles. We look forward to the program's continued success.”

Partner Teresa Liu, is Co-Chair of Fragomen's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, said “we continue to take concrete steps to ensure that Fragomen is an inclusive organisation. I am delighted that this initiative got such a strong start and continues to be successful.”