Building a diverse workforce for Cambridge: Networking event launches

The role of employers and education in addressing the inequalities and deep social divides within Cambridge is the subject of a networking event taking place later this month.

Speakers from Trinity College, Cambridge, as well as Cambridge Regional College and Cambridge 2030, will take part in the online event on 19th May organised by Villiers Park Educational Trust, a national social mobility charity based in Foxton.

Cambridge has repeatedly been found to be the UK’s most unequal city – it has one of the top average earnings in the UK, but the lowest-paid fifth of the population take home just 2% of the total income generated. Pockets of extreme poverty sit on the doorstep of extreme wealth, within walking distance of the world-renowned University of Cambridge. At the same time, the science and technology firms and corporate giants with a presence in the city are missing out on the potential of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. If businesses restrict themselves to recruiting from established talent pools, they are failing to recruit the best people they can.

Companies need to approach talent acquisition differently if they are to access a more diverse workforce by working with the disadvantaged communities on their doorstep and around the country. This networking event organised by Villiers Park will feature expert speakers discussing the valuable work being done to address social inequality through education – and will explore what businesses can do to support this change.

The speakers include: Rae Tooth, CEO of Villiers Park; John Datta, outreach coordinator at Trinity College; Alison Taylor, a committee member for the charity Cambridge 2030; and Claire Dolan, director of adult learning and commercial development at Cambridge Regional College.

‘Building a diverse workforce for Cambridge’ takes place on Wednesday 19^th May at 12noon. The Cambridge Independent are media partners for this event.