Diversifying the Careers Workforce

Can we ensure equality and inclusive practice in career development?

This session will draw on recent research exploring the make-up and motivations of the careers professional workforce. It considers:

 
■    The challenges in gaining a full picture of who works in careers.


■    How the profile differs from that of its clients and the implications for social inclusion in practice.

 
■    Those moving into the field of career development professionals in the UK across various settings, and whether this pipeline will help to diversity the workforce.

 
Key contributors include: Professor Siobhan Neary at the University of Derby, Gill Frigerio at the University of Warwick, Dr Emma Bolger at the University of the West of Scotland, and Ifza Shakoor, University of Derby and EDI Associate for the CDI.

2.00 Introduction and welcome (Chair: Siobhan Neary)

2.05 Setting the scene (Gill Frigerio)

2.20 Issues and levers for change - lessons from research

Discussing gender and class (Emma Bolger)

Discussing ethnicity and race (Ifza Shakoor)

3.10 Group discussion

3.30 Break

3.45 Employer Panel Session 

• Michelle Jackson, EDI Lead for Shaw Trust
• Danielle Kneale, Director of HR, Career Connect
• Dr Nalayini Thambar, Director of Planning, Performance & Strategic Change, the University of Nottingham
• Sandra Cowley, Director of Strategy, Growth and Partnership, Futures for You

4.25 Group discussion

4.45 Plenary: reflections

5.00 Close