Why it matters
The UK is consistently ranked as one of the least socially mobile nations among its international peers. This must change. Everyone in the UK – irrespective of their background, age, gender, sexuality, race and disability – should have the opportunities they need to progress. There is strong evidence that diverse organisations exhibit greater growth and innovation, and make better business choices.
THE SIZE OF THE PRIZE
What can business and society gain from a changing workforce?
Greater racial diversity at all levels of business
Accelerate progress by increasing the racial and ethnic diversity of Boards and senior leadership teams.
Widen talent pools with new and upskilled workers
By investing in training, businesses will help a new generation into the workforce and help existing workers to reskill and retrain.
Expand diversity with hybrid working
New remote, hybrid and flexible working patterns will encourage maximum participation in the workforce from the broadest possible range of backgrounds.
How do we do this?
Reskill nine in ten workers
Future changes in UK labour demand will see mass reskilling and the transition of around three million workers to a new occupation by 2030.
Tackle the UK’s digital skills gap
Around 50% of adults lack essential digital skills needed for the workplace – this needs to change.
Strengthen representation of diverse talent
This includes at the most senior levels of business, which will help to tackle the unequal impacts of the pandemic and boost opportunities for underrepresented groups.
What the government needs to do
Replace the Apprenticeship Levy
Replace it with a ‘Learning for Life’ skills levy that ends cross-subsidy and challenges each firm to spend every penny investing in the skills of their workforce.
Maintain momentum on gender diversity
By backing a successor to the Hampton-Alexander Review, and also facilitating voluntary ethnicity pay reporting.
Help workers to understand retraining
By expanding Jobcentre Plus into Skills and Jobs Hubs where more people can access the advice they need.