SkyBlue scores a first for national recruitment firm

Midlands-based recruitment firm SkyBlue is celebrating after being the first nationally operating recruitment business to secure the Recruitment and Employment Confederationís (REC) Diversity Assured Recruitment status.

More than a mere pledge, the RECís newest scheme sees businesses like SkyBlue undergo a rigorous critique and audit to prove their commitment to diversity and equality in the workplace via a variety of day-to-day, ethical recruitment practices.

ìWeíre overjoyed with the news that weíve passed,î says Head of Operations at SkyBlue, Richard Toy.

The ëDiversity Assuredí initiative is being delivered through Birmingham Professional Diversity (BPD), one of the RECís partners.

SkyBlue has worked closely with BPD over the years to promote the importance and benefits for businesses taking the issue seriously and they introduced SkyBlue to the scheme.

Aaron Reid, Executive Director at BPD says: ìThe public and private sector currently utilises the expert advice of recruitment consultants as a method to fill 76% of their vacancies. It makes sense to use an agency who can demonstrate its ability to provide diverse candidate shortlists if you are trying recruit a diverse workforce. We have been working with Sky Blue for a number of years and their commitment goes way beyond mere compliance.

ìBreaking new ground with their innovative approach they are now recognised as a ëposter childí for Diversity and are helping to set the standard for others in the industry. Our congratulations go out to SkyBlue on achieving Diversity Assured Status, which confirms - and I hope - vindicates all of the hard work and commitment over the years.î

Dave Massingham, SkyBlueís Diversity and Equality Manager said: ìHundreds of job seekers and human resources professionals use recruitment services every day and they should have a guaranteed measure of quality.

ìOur new found status gives those people the confidence to believe that when we say we are a truly diverse business and incorporate equality into everything we do. We really do mean it.î