Meet our skills competitions patron

Jane Hatton became our patron in 2012 and is helping Natspec to educate businesses about the benefits of employing young people with a disability.

Natspec chose Jane Hatton because she has a lot of experience and is passionate about changing the way people think about the skills and abilities students from specialist colleges can bring to a job.Jane runs an organisation called Evenbreak, which puts disabled jobseekers in touch with businesses who want to employ them, visit: www.evenbreak.co.uk

Jane was a non-disabled Diversity Consultant, talking to employers about the benefits of employing a workforce that included disabled people. She wanted to stop disabled people becoming stuck in low-paid jobs or unemployment. She became disabled herself, with a spinal condition, and now runs Evenbreak lying on a platform with her lap top above her.  She says her personal experience helps with her job at Natspec: “It’s important to challenge employers’ attitudes towards disabled job seekers. As Natspec patron I can help promote the talents and skills of students at specialist colleges, building a better understanding of what they can bring to the workplace or local community.”

• Jane Hatton’s Blog