Creating a diverse workforce

Diversity training is the most recent ëmust haveí within business ñ Bradford based enterprise organisation Digitalife is the latest to address the issues facing organisations in relation to diversity.

The reality is that it has become difficult for those individuals whose remit includes improving diversity within their organisation and wanting to introduce training their own staff instead of outsourcing it - in-house training gives a more understanding to the issues around diversity it and also gives employees the responsibility of building a more inclusive workforce.

Digitalife has launched a new, modular training course aimed at all professionals who are working to create profitable and inclusive working environments.

Known as the BTEC Professional in Managing Diversity, the course is the only Nationally Accredited Edexcel Diploma in Managing Diversity available in the UK, and is offered at several different levels

ìAge, gender, cultural background, religion, ethnicity and race are just some of the differences between individuals that lead to diversity in the workplace. Managing this diversity to the benefit of both the company and the employee is a challenge facing all managers and organisations today,î said Gweneth Balson, Project Manager

In addition to offering a recognised professional qualification, Digitalifeís new, distance learning course focuses on how to manage the opportunities and deal with the challenges of creating and working with diversity.

While many other courses have long existed, they tend to focus on equal opportunities and legislation. Where this one is rare - possibly even unique ñ is that it is skills based and focuses on good practices as a way of making excellent business sense rather than the sole aim of compliance with the law.

ëThe growth of globalisation and the cultural changes that are increasingly taking place in the work place means that diversity is constantly evolvingí, said Balson. ëBut there still remains a real lack of systematic approach of how to manage it in many companiesí.

At the recent Managing Diversity graduation ceremony, Margaret Coleman, Regional Director, Learning and Skills Council, Yorkshire and the Humber Region said,

ëIn todayís global economy it is essential that managers understand the value of having a diverse workforce and more importantly that they are equipped with the skills to manage a diverse group of employees effectively. Programmes like the Managing Diversity Diploma contribute to developing that understanding and the skills of the workforce.í

The BTEC Professional in Managing Diversity in the Workplace, offered at level 4 on the QCA framework, is available in a modular format that can be undertaken at the candidateís convenience. The Professional Award requires 60 hours of study, while the Professional Certificate takes 120 hours, which leads to the Professional Diploma that demands 360 hours of study.

The course is already proving a popular choice. Sukhdev Singh, from the Leeds College of Technology who has just achieved the Professional qualification said:

ìThe course has certainly affected the way I approach people from different backgrounds and the way I address people with disabilities ñ I am more focused on the skills of the people that I work with rather than stereotype them.î