A
leading equal rights group is calling on employers to focus on diversity in
recruitment programmes after research revealed that white graduates were more
likely to be hired by leading firms.
The
African and Caribbean Finance Forum (ACFF) is encouraging all businesses to
recruit more staff from ethnic minority backgrounds and has organised a careers
fair to promote the benefits of diversity.
Although
ethnic minorities only represent seven per cent of the UK population (rising to
29 per cent in London) they make-up almost 13.7 per cent of students in higher
education.
Despite
this, a recent study by the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) found that
white graduates were three times more likely to be offered a position at
FTSE-listed companies.
The
ACFF’s chair Brenda King said the latest event, taking place tomorrow, would
help employers recognise the importance of diversity.
“Since
1998 we have staged six successful diversity careers fairs in London attracting
more than 8,500 highly qualified delegates from different ethnic backgrounds.
These events give employers an opportunity to discover a wealth of graduate and
professional talent,” she said.
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The
AFCC’s diversity careers fair takes place tomorrow at the Novotel London West,
in Hammersmith.
