The NOW Group, a leading social enterprise in Ireland, announced today that Terex, a global manufacturer of lifting and material handling solutions, has been named as its first strategic partner in the manufacturing sector across Ireland.

The partnership will focus on increasing employment opportunities for people with learning difficulties, autism or a communication barrier in the manufacturing industry. Terex will work with NOW Group to provide training, mentoring, employment opportunities and sponsorship with the aim of creating a more inclusive and diverse workforce.

Through the partnership, Terex, will place its full team through rigorous training to become a JAM Card friendly Partner. Originating from the card designed by participants requesting ‘Just A Minute’, the organisational training expands across senior managers to front facing staff, designed to celebrate and value neurodiversity, disability and communication barriers within the workforce. 

Terex has also committed to welcoming all abilities for their variety of roles across the company for people living with intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities & autism, and enrolled with NOW Group’s employment service. 

"We are delighted to welcome Terex as our first strategic partner in the manufacturing sector," comments Diane Hill, Director of Business & Organisational Development of NOW Group. “Since launching the JAM Card initiative in 2012, the scheme has been a resounding success with more than 3,000 organisations across the region participating in the training programme. We’re delighted to now build upon that momentum by announcing a new strategic partnership with one of Northern Ireland’s leading manufacturers, which will take the programme to the next level.”

Diane adds: "This partnership demonstrates Terex's commitment to creating a more diverse and inclusive workforce, and we are excited to work together to create more opportunities for people with visible and hidden disabilities within the manufacturing industry."

According to Lindsay Colton, Digital Transformation Manager at Terex, the partnership aligns with Terex's purpose of improving the lives of people around the world and our strategy for diversity, equity and inclusion. "At Terex, we believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential for our success," she said. “As a major local employer, Terex is deeply committed to excellence and inclusivity which is firmly embedded within our business. We’re thrilled to be the first manufacturing partner on the island of Ireland and affirm our commitment to supporting our communities, and to really drive our credentials in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion and to provide new employment opportunities to those living with autism or learning difficulties, which we hope to build on throughout the partnership.”

The partnership will build on NOW Group's successful employment programme, which in 2023 has already seen 176 participants helped into paid employment and over 1,000 participants achieve qualifications. 

For more information on the NOW Group, please visit nowgroup.org.

For more information on Terex, please visit www.terex.com