A teenager (Louis Makepeace) with dwarfism, who was allegedly told he was a ‘safety risk’ for a catering course, has been offered a job by Gordon Ramsey.
The chef blasted the college for a ‘disgusting attitude’ and said he would “offer him an apprenticeship any day”.
Gordon Ramsey
A spokesperson for Ramsey confirmed the tweet by him was a formal offer of work.
“Gordon’s tweet was a genuine offer of help for Louis Makepeace, should he wish to pursue his cooking career within the Gordon Ramsey Restaurants chef apprenticeship programme.”
She said the star of Kitchen Nightmares and F Word TV shows had “supported and mentored hundreds of young chefs throughout his career, and strongly believed no one should be discriminated against in the workplace due to a disability.”
Louis Makepeace
Let’s look at the back story. Eighteen year old Louis was set to begin studying catering at college in September, but his place has been rescinded. Not because he didn’t get the right grades – but because he is only three foot 10 inches tall.
Louis stated, “When people like me are shut out of college and university, no wonder the government is failing to get disabled people into work.”
Heart Of Worcestershire College
The college told him that he would be a safety risk to other pupils. And rather than make adjustments, such as installing a lower surface and hob, they reportedly advised him to find another course – telling his mother he would “never be allowed to work in a commercial kitchen”.
A spokesperson for the college said it would not comment because the student’s place on the course was still under discussion.
Equality Act 2010
Have the college acted lawfully? The 2010 Equality Act says education and training providers have a duty to make “reasonable adjustments” so disabled people are not placed at a substantial disadvantage to non-disabled students. Equally, if an employer refused to hire Makepeace because of his needs, that would constitute discrimination.
Prime Minister Theresa May
This is what the Prime Minister had to say last year.
“The path a person takes in life and in work should not be dictated by their disability or health condition.”
This was at the time her government revealed its plan to get one million more disabled people back into work.