REC and Jobcentre plus launch diversity initiative

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and Jobcentre Plus have teamed up to introduce a Diversity Pledge and Toolkit which for the first time will help both private and public sector recruiters tackle discrimination. These products have been designed to enable all agencies better access to the right support to raise UK recruitment standards, based on the business need to recruit a diverse workforce.



We all know the facts - in less than 7 years only 20% of the UK workforce will be white, able-bodied men under 45, and by 2040, 60% of the western world population will be over 65, but the facts are what recruiters manage daily.

Diverse recruitment is a business priority, and embedding itís principles not only means having the edge in attracting the best people, and gaining more business, but also ensures that vacancies are accessible by untapped reserves of talent. Diverse workforces are proven to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, lower turnover, and enhance business reputation and brand. These are the facts, and the new REC and Jobcentre Plus diversity Pledge and Toolkit offers the right support for recruiters to meet the challenges ahead with confidence.

Lesley Strathie, Acting Jobcentre Plus Chief Executive, said:
Today, diversity is a íbottom lineí issue for all businesses. We are therefore, delighted to be working in partnership with the REC to develop and deliver the Recruitment Industry Diversity Pledge and Toolkit.

These products will be vital in helping UK companies recruit a diverse workforce, and they will also signal to employers how positively the recruitment industry is responding to the challenge of placing diversity at the heart of the recruitment process.

Marcia Roberts, Deputy Chief Executive, REC says, The Recruitment industry should be leading the way in diversity and I believe this tool will become an invaluable resource to companies trying to understand the wealth of policy, legislative requirements and good practice guidelines. This tool will allow companies large and small to not only demonstrate compliance but to have aspirational targets that are achievable.

Employers can initially sign the pledge to show their commitment to developing best practice in diversity. There is then the opportunity to complete an online toolkit, which self-assesses whether recruiters are compliant in their diversity policies. Finally an action plan is generated to assist employers in improving their diversity procedures.

The recruitment industry is able to reach more employers than any other and both REC and Jobcentre Plus believe that the package will make a real difference to companies in understanding and combating discrimination.

For more information please call 0207 462 8422. The initiative is expected to be officially launched in October 2005.

For further information about the press release please contact Amy Stockton, REC Press Manager, 0207 462 4157

www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk