PNC Demonstrates Its Commitment To Disabled Employment

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 9, 2014 – Among the twenty percent of Americans living with a disability, nearly 80 percent are not participating in the labor force.  In the Pittsburgh region, this amounts to approximately 240,000 individuals with a disability who are of working-age but are neither employed nor seeking employment.  Equally concerning is the reality that for those who are participating in the labor force, the unemployment rate is more than double the rate for people without disabilities.

In recognition of the need for employers to address barriers to employment, The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC) is sponsoring a Disability Employment Summit in Pittsburgh, Pa. and hosting Disability Mentoring Day events in several communities in which the company operates.  These events will serve as a forum at which PNC and other employers will discuss how they can make employment accessible for individuals with a disability.  Further, they present PNC and other employers with an opportunity to engage with current and prospective employees and customers to learn how to better serve those with a disability.

“Tens of thousands of individuals with disabilities who have dropped out of the labor force are capable of working, but a general misunderstanding, stereotypes and a lack of access to opportunity have made it difficult or impossible for many to find employment,” said

William S. Demchak, PNC chairman, president and chief executive officer.  “To ensure the continued vibrancy of our regional economy, employers need to tap into underutilized talent wherever it exists to fill the jobs that are available now and the many more that will open up as baby boomers retire over the next 20 years.”

The Disability Employment Summit will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 14, giving Pittsburgh-area employers an opportunity to hear from national experts and discuss the challenges specific to our region’s workforce needs.  It also will include a career showcase at which individuals with disabilities and their advocates can connect with employers, explore potential job opportunities and learn about resources to support their career development.  Those who are interested in attending the Disability Employment Summit can register online at http://www.alleghenyconference.org/DisabilityEmploymentSummit.php until 12 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 12.

Additionally, on Wednesday, Oct. 15, PNC will host Pittsburgh-area high school students who have a disability for a day of job shadowing and mentoring.  PNC also will host Disability Mentoring Day events in Louisville, KY; Milwaukee; Rocky Mount, N.C.; and Washington, D.C.

PNC is committed to attracting, developing and retaining diverse talent, including employees with disabilities. In addition to providing accommodations, including telephone amplifiers, sign language interpreters and alternative work spaces, the company offers training, development and mentoring opportunities to help employees succeed in their roles and advance throughout the organization.

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (www.pnc.com) is one of the United States’ largest diversified financial services organizations providing retail and business banking; residential mortgage banking; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management.

 
CONTACT:
Emily Krull
(412) 762-5654
emily.krull@pnc.com

@PNCNews