How to truly implement inclusion and diversity is still very much a big question mark for hiring teams and companies. The biggest challenge perceived to be a talent shortage, but is that really the case or an excuse?
Rewind to Spring 2020 and the first lockdown in the UK. Three senior recruitment leaders came together and set themselves a challenge: ‘Making the Tech Industry More Diverse and Inclusive’.
Underrepresented people are not equipped the same when finding new opportunities or supported whilst navigating their careers, understanding workplace dynamics and best practices.
According to Atomico’s 2020 State of European Tech reported:
77% of Black / Africa / Caribbean participants disagreed that the tech ecosystem was fair to all demographics
49% of women experienced some form of discrimination at work
Only 19% of all women felt ‘equal opportunities’ existed in the tech industry
Inclusive Careers was born to help organisations reach more diverse talent. With over 9000 diverse tech members across 65 countries and 80% identifying as people of colour. The platform has amassed a quick following.
The platform offers free, regular mentoring sessions to members. Covering all topics from ‘how to ace a tech coding test’ to ‘how to get the next promotion’ the advice provided gives underrepresented people support they don't currently get.
Mentorship is also provided to members looking to create their own start-up or requiring support on funding.
Last year there were over 1,067 start-ups in the UK. Tech start-ups raised an eye-watering $41bn in Europe. However, only 20% of newly funded companies had a female founder and less than 0.09% of ethnically diverse founders received funding.
The platform provides companies advertising jobs to volunteer to share current demographics of each team and their diversity efforts. Over 95% of Inclusive Careers members strongly agree that transparency on an organisation's diversity would encourage them to apply.
“We came together with an idea that organisations need to provide transparency, even if it doesn't look so great. Part of the challenge is organisations don't want to acknowledge they have a challenge. Along with that, we want to provide underrepresented people with support they don't currently get. It’s a first step in the right direction we can support and do now. We are united by a vision to develop a career ecosystem that helps diverse talent to thrive in the tech industry and there is a lot more to come!”
Steve Jacobs
Each company gets a free consultation on how to recruit fairly and from a wider base to encourage industry entrants and staff from diverse backgrounds. This is enabling organisations to target diversity and inclusion as an output. Furthermore, senior-level decision makers are encouraged to take part in and run Encouraging diversity and inclusion at senior decision-making levels and taking part in, as well as how to run, events that promote diversity and inclusion.
If your organisation wants to get involved, you can register at https://inclusive.careers/.
If you are a senior business leader, recruitment professional or tech professional, sign up to be a mentor at https://inclusive.careers/mentors and join Inclusive Careers on making the Tech industry more diverse and inclusive!
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