About
Ask a group of business people if they think it's important to develop and implement ethical, fair and diverse people policies within their organisations and the chances are that virtually all of them will agree that it's an excellent idea.
Yet despite this ‘thumbs up', many groups of people still face psychological and physical barriers when it comes to applying for jobs and indeed being offered jobs within an organisation.
Ask the same group of business people why this is the case and the chances are they will pinpoint a lack of support and information on how to implement fair and diverse people policies, or they may not even be aware that at some level in their organisation, this is actually happening.
Building on the successful model in Southampton, LEADER offers a network of employers, hailing primarily from the private, sector all coming together to share good practice, information and ideas that improve business performance, foster employability and look at diversity and equality issues in a fresh way that meets business needs.
LEADER aims to enhance understanding about the factors that transform labour markets enabling a flexible, highly skilled workforce in Brighton and Hove that can compete with the global marketplace.
LEADER works to support and promote ethical and socially responsible enterprises. This means a healthy workforce and work/life balance in tune with 21st century work-values that unlocks talent and that plays to the strengths of a diverse workforce.
Brighton & Hove has the highest percentage of Black Minority Ethnic Groups in South East outside London, it is estimated that there are around 7,000 East Europeans working in the City. The recent City Employment and Skills Plan, 2007, high-lighted that economic growth has been driven more by increases in employment than by productivity gains in recent years. In the City gross value added (GVA) per head remains below the national average, suggesting that there is still scope for broadening the economic base and improving productivity.
This coupled with escalating housing prices is creating a dual economy where local people are forced either onto the outskirts of the City or indeed to leave and the only people able to afford the living costs have to work in London to survive resulting in a drain on skilled labour.
If your business wishes to become part of this fantastic local initiative to promote diversity in the City please complete the following form and post it back to:
46 Guildford Street, Brighton, BN1 3LS
If you wish to discuss LEADER and how you can get involved please email:
info@leaderbrighton-hove.org or membership@leaderbrighton-hove.org