UK

Leading specialist chemicals manufacturer Christeyns, has signed a pledge to challenge the issue of diversity in apprenticeships. The Apprenticeship Diversity Champions Network (ADCN), set up by the Government just over a year ago, champions apprenticeships and diversity amongst employers and encourages more people from underrepresented groups, including those with disabilities, women and members of the black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, to consider apprenticeships.

As part of their pledge, Christeyns has committed to increasing the number of BAME, Learning Difficulties & Disabilities, (LDD), or female applicants to their apprenticeship scheme.

Chair of the network, Helen Grant MP, worked alongside the National Apprenticeship Service to set and shape the network’s objectives and there are now over 60 employers in the network who are all committed to ensuring that their workforce includes apprentices from all backgrounds. The network supports the government’s commitment to increase the proportion of apprenticeship starts by people from BAME backgrounds by 20% by 2020.

Christeyns has been recruiting apprentices for the last six years and sees their role in providing young people with the right skills and opportunities as vital for the future prosperity of both Christeyns and the industry. In 2016 Christeyns won the Yorkshire Post Business in Excellence Apprenticeship Award and also holds the Investors in People Silver Award.

“We are really pleased to be part of this network,” said Sarah Dufton, HR manager at Christeyns. “Apprenticeships are at the heart of our staffing policies and we are committed to developing the region’s future talent. By joining ADCN, we are underlining the importance of apprenticeship programmes in manufacturing and pledging to not only make our own programme more encompassing, but also assist other companies develop rewarding schemes.”

Helen Grant said: “Christeyns are helping to show that widening participation in apprenticeships is important, employers should recruit from as wide a talent pool as possible to open up opportunities to all.”

DIVERSITY: Four of the Christeyns apprentices –  Liam, Jordan, Lauren and Hannah