New Edinburgh Zoo partnership aims to boost inclusive employment in Scotland

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has announced a partnership with Down’s Syndrome Scotland to create new employment opportunities at Edinburgh Zoo. 

As a first step, two adults with Down’s syndrome will join the zoo’s admissions and retail teams later this year. 

Ben Supple, deputy chief executive of the wildlife conservation charity, said the partnership, which has been launched during Down’s Syndrome Awareness Week (16 – 22 March), will help create employment opportunities for people who often face barriers to work. 

“Fewer than seven percent of adults with learning disabilities are in paid work in Scotland, compared to the national employment rate of almost seventy-five percent,” said Supple. 

“These roles will initially run for several months during the summer with the hope they will lead to longer-term opportunities as part of this exciting new partnership.” 

In addition, RZSS will exclusively advertise three additional seasonal roles at Edinburgh Zoo to other charity and community partners. 

“Meaningful employment and being close to wildlife can have enormous physical and mental health and wellbeing advantages, which in turn benefits nature,” said Supple. 

“However, many communities face significant barriers to employment, including disabilities, limited access to inclusive job opportunities and challenges such as transport or the lack of appropriate workplace support.

“We are therefore creating job opportunities at Edinburgh Zoo which will be advertised in the first instance to the many charities and community groups we are privileged to work with.”

A spokesperson for Down’s Syndrome Scotland welcomed the collaboration, saying it will help tackle long-standing barriers to employment. 

“Too often the issue is not ability or ambition but the systems and structures within workplaces,” said Jo Davidson, the charity’s inclusive employment lead.

“Many people with Down’s syndrome want to work and have valuable skills to contribute, yet opportunities remain extremely limited. 

“By working with charities like the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, we can focus on people’s strengths and potential while providing the training and support that helps both employers and employees succeed.”

Down’s Syndrome Scotland will launch an inclusive employment partnership programme nationally in autumn 2026 and is inviting interested employers to come forward.