The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has published a report, which calls for an association of equality and diversity practitioners. The report is based on research commissioned by the LSC and conducted by the Focus Consultancy. It is designed to enhance understanding of the equality and diversity field – the individuals operating within it, the type of organisations leading in this area, its activities and requirements to ensure these issues are being addressed across UK industry.

The report was launched to stakeholders at an event held yesterday at the Deloitte headquarters in Central London. A keynote speech was delivered by Trevor Phillips, Chair of Commission for Equality & Human Rights. The speaker panel, which included Lee Probert, the LSC’s Director of Equality and Diversity and Professor Chris Mullard, Chairman of the Focus Consultancy; stated that regulation would not be the primary role of an association, but this was a likely consequence of legislation. The panel also discussed the need to remove the current linking of equality and diversity issues with the Human Resources function, in order to ensure equality and diversity principles are delivered pan-organisationally.

The report sampled over 1,500 practitioners in the E&D field from public, private and third sector organisations ranging from single-handed practices to staff in the Equality Commissions. The views of 25 opinion leaders in equality and diversity were also acquired.

In addition to revealing support for a professional body, the report identified trends within the equality and diversity field:

• Staff delivering equality services are typically female, aged between 35 and 54, with high levels of vocational and professional education
• A significant number felt they lack sufficient training to carry out their role effectively
• Training patterns in the sector were found to be largely unstructured with a mix of formal and informal channels such as attending workshops and downloading information from the internet
• Highly developed social and interactive skills were shown to be of greater importance for success within the field than commercial knowledge 

Chris Banks, Chairman of the LSC, said: “The LSC is committed to delivering Equality and Diversity throughout all of its work. This includes ensuring that staff who are charged with delivering equality objectives are equipped with the right skills and tools to do their job effectively.  It is clear from our research that equality and diversity practitioners are keen to see the industry become more professional and credible. Currently there is no clear career path for practitioners within this field and creating an association would be an excellent way of standardising their professional development and ultimately supporting our drive to deliver better equality of opportunity for everyone.”

Trevor Phillips, Chair of Commission for Equality & Human Rights, said: “To meet the challenges of the new domestic and global marketplace, we need to make fundamental changes in the way we think about our places of work. We need to be more radical in our approach to recruitment, retention and managing diversity, and also in our understanding of the needs of customers, clients and public service users. Within this marketplace interventions from Equality and Diversity professionals are increasingly pertinent.

“Equality deficits are not just about employment. When it comes to thinking about all aspects of an organisation’s work and functions, equality and diversity work should not be an afterthought; instead it should be the first flash of inspiration. It should sit right within the heart of an organisation, providing advice and consultation, changing culture and wielding greater influence and authority than ever before”.

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