- 10 - CEO Today Global Awards 2025 - UNITED KINGDOM - How does DPD ensure that its inclusive culture translates into tangible opportunities for all employees to grow and succeed? Something that’s important to recognise is that everyone’s needs in a working environment are different. It’s not on employees to conform to DPD, but for DPD to support its people. One project we’re particularly proud of is our Inspire initiative. This is where we partner with local colleges to provide supported internships for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). In the UK, the employment rate for people with a learning disability is around 5%. This stat is even worse in the region of our West Midlands hubs, where they sit at below 1%. DPD recognises that this is often because of a lack of support, and so we want to help change this. The interns will work with us in various areas of the business, getting a taster for different career paths available to them. An important part of this support, however, is the educational aspect, where interns are taught what to expect in a workplace environment. Small, unwritten rules that neurotypical people might take for granted are easily missed by those with autism or other learning difficulties. Therefore, they are taught a variety of topics, from financial literacy, to health and safety, to understanding their employment rights, to simple workplace etiquette. We even created a dedicated classroom for these lessons to take place, and we ensure it’s always available as a safe space for those with SEND, should they need a quiet moment to themselves. The support continues for them should they become full-time employees with us, all of whom we’re delighted to say we’ve retained. By creating a culture of inclusion like this we’re empowering all of our people to flourish, regardless of their background.
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