Region’s top employers pledge to train
MORE than 20 of the region’s major employers have signed up to take part in a programme to take positive steps to retain and develop the talent in their existing workforce.
The Diversity Champions Programme, run by the Fair Play Partnership, is an £8m initiative which is being financed by Yorkshire Forward and co-ordinated by Wakefield Council.
The initiative is designed to give employers and managers training in the latest development practices which will benefit the business in the long term and motivate talented employees.
Organisations taking part include A4E, Connaught Partnerships Ltd, Cummins Turbo Technologies Ltd, First Direct, Hallmark Cards, Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds Partnerships Foundation Trust, Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Yorkshire Housing, Pennine Housing 2000, St. Anne’s Community Services, Wakefield Council and Yorkshire Bank.
The Rugby League is also one of the organisations taking part in the programme.
Sue Allan, RFL director of finance and central services said: “This is a blue print for the workforce of the future and one we are proud to champion. The programme allows us to develop our managers to nurture and encourage talented members of the workforce to be able to achieve their professional ambitions within our organisation.”
KPMG’s latest quarterly national business confidence survey figures indicate that despite the current economic downturn, companies were looking to retain their existing workforce with half the businesses surveyed saying they plan to reward staff with wage increases in order to retain the best talent.
Director of Fair Play Partnership, Liz Bavidge OBE said: “Human Resource managers and board directors are determined and committed to be in a position to keep and work with the right teams within their companies and organisations. We at the Fair Play Partnership are highly experienced in supporting diversity as the key to developing businesses, and crucially, totally understand what is needed to make the very best of their existing, diverse team.”
Thea Stein, director of economic inclusion at Yorkshire Forward said: “Economic success for the Yorkshire and Humber region is absolutely dependant on everyone’s abilities, skills and talents being maximised. The Diversity Champions Programme gives employers the opportunity to make the most of the talent pool available to them and to adapt and plan for the continued success and future sustainability of their business, and the region as a whole.”
For more information visit www.fairplaypartnership.co.uk
