The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) has launched a
Diversity & Inclusion toolkit for Employers today at their Skills Summit in a London.
Routes to Diversity & Inclusion is the first toolkit of its kind for the highways and transportation sector. It provides a route map to success through diversity and inclusion.
The toolkit offers practical guidance, case studies and links to reliable sources of expert advice for employers to help recruit, retain and develop a more diverse workforce. By doing so, employers will improve their own business performance and increase capacity within the industry.
Sue Percy, CIHT Chief Executive, said:
“The business case for diversity and inclusion has been highlighted a number of times in the media recently, however implementing the changes necessary to take advantage of these business benefits does not appear to be a priority for some employers. Often, this is simply a case of not being sure where to start and this is where the CIHT Routes to Diversity & Inclusion toolkit can help.
“CIHT believes there needs to be a step change in the way that the industry engages with issues around diversity and inclusion as part of a long term skills strategy. We believe that this toolkit will help to inspire that step change.”
CIHT Skills Summit - Developing the Workforce of the Future
Today's
CIHT Skills Summit was opened by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, who outlined the Government’s skills vision for the future.
Click here to read his speech.
Other speakers included Infrastructure UK, HS2, Highways England, Skills Funding Agency, Connect Plus Services, event sponsor Mouchel and the Construction Industry Council.
The presentation topics ranged from a the Government’s National Infrastructure Plan for Skills, Apprentices, challenging the image of careers in Highways and Transportation, developing the skills needed in a changing world and meeting the skills demand for major infrastructure projects.
Diversity & Inclusion – some key facts and figures
The current situation in highways and transportation
CIHT surveyed its Corporate Partners to benchmark the sector in terms of demographics and practical engagement on diversity and inclusion:
- In 71% of organisations, women make up fewer than one in ten of the board.
- Men occupy more than 90% of management roles.
- Only 48% of corporate partners are currently using flexible working to attract and retain talented employees.
- Minority ethnic people make up less than 10% of the workforce (national average is 14%).
What are the benefits of taking action?
- Greater diversity of recruits from a wider talent pool.
- Greater diversity of people progressing through the organisation.
- Benefits to corporate reputation via publicity, benchmarking and awards.
- Benefits in terms of creativity and innovation.
- An increase in employee engagement.
About the toolkit
The Royal Academy of Engineering awarded a grant to CIHT to conduct research into diversity and inclusion in the highways and transportation industry and produce a toolkit to provide practical help and guidance to employers. The work complements a wider study by the Academy’s Diversity Leadership Group (DLG) across all engineering disciplines.
If you would like to receive a hardcopy of the toolkit please contact
communications@ciht.org.uk
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