Research shows businesses in the top quartile of diversity have been shown to be 27% more likely to have higher profits.
But how can diversity be achieved? With a growing diverse population in the UK, diversity in the workplace is important to represent wider society.
Diversity in the workplace can bring a range of benefits, and apprenticeships can be a fantastic way of bringing in a range of employees from various backgrounds while having their training funded by the apprenticeship levy, which we’ll be discussing in this blog.
If you want to find out more about how apprenticeships can improve diversity, we’ve got you covered.
What are the advantages of diversity in the workplace?
Having a diverse workplace with people from different cultures and backgrounds can deliver important benefits to any business.
Some of these benefits include:
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Increased productivity and creativity through diverse teams
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Enhanced cultural awareness for global business success
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Improved company image as a forward-thinking organisation
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Boosted employee retention through inclusive workplaces
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Stronger corporate culture by prioritising diversity and equality
Fact: 32% of companies were found to not have a single woman executive sitting on their main board! This lack of female representation in executive positions within these companies hinders diversity, limits perspectives for women, and perpetuates gender inequality in corporate leadership.
Another shocking statistic: - 1/16 top management positions in the UK are held by ethnic minorities, while ethnic minorities make up about 25% of the uk population.
Many companies are waking up to the lack of diversity in their workplace, so we’re here to give you some advice on what you can do about it.
How can you support diversity in your workplace?
Creating a more equitable working environment can transform the lives of under-represented groups and greatly improve the employee experience.
Diversity - in terms of religion, age, nationality, national origin, gender, gender identity, race, or sexual orientation - can be a powerful driver of innovation in your company.
Here are just some of the ways you can support diversity in your business:
Adopting an inclusive workplace culture
Diversity and inclusivity are related concepts, but they’re not the same; inclusivity is not just about the representation of diverse groups within a business, but it’s about ensuring that the culture of a business reflects, values, and integrates those groups.
Encouraging employee resource groups, offering flexible work arrangements, and celebrating cultural differences can further enhance inclusivity.
By actively promoting a sense of belonging and respect, companies can reach their full potential of their diverse workforce, leading to increased productivity, profits and employee satisfaction leading to a reduced employee turnover.
Open and maintain dialogue about gender pay inequality
The gender pay gap has become an important topic for many companies to have open discussions with their employees about. Having important conversations like these encourages a sense of openness and transparency within the workplace, which is crucial to fostering workforce trust.
Recruit employees from diverse backgrounds
Recruiting employees from diverse backgrounds is a crucial step in creating a diverse workplace. By actively seeking out candidates from various ethnicities, genders, ages, abilities, sexualities and socioeconomic backgrounds, companies can create a more representative workforce.
This diversity brings a wealth of perspectives, experiences, and skills to the table, leading to increased innovation, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.
Also, a diverse workforce can improve a company's reputation, attract top talent, and better understand and serve a diverse customer base - it’s a win-win!
One of the best ways to do this is by taking on an apprentice - read on to find out more!
Why choose apprenticeships as a means of diversifying your workforce?
Apprenticeships are for people of all ages
Apprenticeships play a crucial role in building a more diverse and inclusive team, helping people of all ages and backgrounds to realise their potential and contribute to a thriving workforce.
Address shortages in skilled workers
Hiring apprentices can address issues like shortages in skilled workers, whilst simultaneously diversifying your workforce and helping your business become more inclusive.
For example, research shows, only 5.4% of construction workers come from a Black, Asian, or ethnic minority background, although they make up 13.8% of the UK population.
Also, an increasingly ageing workforce may result in a skills shortfall in 10 – 20 years. In addition, 99% of construction workers are estimated to be men, which further reduces the potential talent pool.
The skill shortage in the construction industry can be tackled by leveraging apprenticeships and hiring people from various backgrounds.
Businesses looking to expand can access talent early through employer apprenticeships, developing their employee skill set to increase productivity and output from the ground floor.
Offering apprenticeships that support diversity can alleviate these potential problems.
Unlike traditional recruitment methods, apprenticeships offer hands-on training tailored to specific job roles, ensuring that individuals from underrepresented groups receive the support they need to thrive in their chosen field.
Apprenticeship funding is accessible
Recruitinig employees from diverse backgrounds can be a financial risk. If minorities are underrepresented in a large range of sectors, this means even those who want to enter a certain industry might not have the right skills they need to be employable.
Essentially, they just need a chance to get their foot in the door!
Apprenticeships work as a great way for them to enter the industry, and the training is fully funded through the government's apprenticeship levy. This means it is less of a risk when hiring motivated individuals who don’t yet have experience - meaning more minorities can be given a chance in their chosen industry.
Also, apprentices are entitled to lower wages depending on the minimum wage and their age bracket, so it is a much more affordable option for employers.
Find out more in our blog: Apprenticeship Wages: How Much Do Apprentices Get Paid?
How to offer apprenticeships without unconscious (or conscious) bias
Many apprenticeship and job applicants can be subject to discrimination through just their names during the initial application stage, and many more are judged unfairly on their location or school grades.
Make sure your apprenticeships give everyone a chance to have a career with advancement prospects by following our tips:
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Use blind applications: Remove names and personal details from applications
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Advertise widely: Share apprenticeship opportunities in different places to reach more people
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Stick to clear rules: Make sure everyone uses the same criteria for choosing apprentices
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Teach about biases: Train staff to be aware of their unconscious biases
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Set goals: Decide on targets for hiring apprentices from different background
Choose Total People when hiring an apprentice
If you're in search of an apprentice and want to boost the diversity in your workplace, Total People boast decades of experience linking apprentices with employers, alongside a steadfast commitment to workplace diversity and inclusion.
Get in touch with us today to start your journey towards building a diverse and talented workforce.
Find out more about apprenticeships for employers and contact us today.
