Social Mobility Business Compact – your support
As part of the Government’s Social Mobility Strategy, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg launched a Business Compact, asking businesses to do their bit.
The strategy aims to ensure everyone has a fair opportunity to fulfil their potential, regardless of the circumstances of their birth.
The Business Compact builds on “Every Business Commits””, asking businesses to do their bit to remove barriers to success. It sets out practical ways businesses can avoid talent and ability going to waste and ensure that young people from all backgrounds have a fair chance to get ahead. This is good for business, in ensuring you attract the best people, regardless of social background, and good for society.
A number of leading organisations in their professions are already offering their support and examples of best practice are showcased on the webpage: www.dpm.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/social-mobility-business-compact.
If you would like to be involved please get in touch with Annie Finnis in the Deputy Prime Minister’s Research and Analysis Unit annie.finnis@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk.
Call to action: a business compact on social mobility
1. Support communities and local schools
• participate in mentoring schemes for young people, allow staff time off and reward them for getting involved and enable schools and businesses to work together; and
• encourage staff at least once a year to talk about their careers as part of a programme to raise aspiration and build knowledge about the world of work.
2. Improve skills and create jobs by providing opportunities for all young people to get a foot on the ladder
• advertise work experience opportunities in local schools rather than filling them through informal networks; and
• offer internships openly and transparently and provide financial support to ensure fair access.
3. Improve quality of life and wellbeing by recruiting openly and fairly, ensuring non-discrimination
• including increased use of name-blank and school-blank applications where appropriate.