"Unlocking New Possibilities”: Second Annual Free Careers Event Champions Diversity and Inclusion
Building on to the success of the ‘Unlocking New Possibilities’ 2023 Careers event, this year’s career fair saw an impressive turnout with over 240 attendees and more than 60 employers and training providers participating on 11 July 2024 at Chesterfield College, Chesterfield.
This free and open to all careers event was organised by Links CVS, the local Council for Voluntary Service in Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire, on behalf of the Derbyshire Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Forum and in partnership with Department of Work and Pensions, Derbyshire County Council, Joined Up Careers Derbyshire, Chesterfield College and East Midlands Chamber.
Unlocking New Possibilities careers event offered organisations the chance to engage directly with a diverse audience, sharing information about available roles and career opportunities whereas the attendees had the opportunity to ask questions directly to the employers and learn about the support available to help them actively participate in employment and training. The event provided attendees with the opportunity to learn more about the recruitment processes and criteria from a variety of employers, including Derbyshire Constabulary, Derbyshire Fire Services, Royal Air Force, British Army, Royal Navy, NHS, NE Derbyshire County Council, REP - Refugee Employability Programme, and Vision Derbyshire, among others.
James Lee, CEO, Links CVS and on behalf of Derbyshire BME Forum shared, “the careers event provided a platform for a diverse range of employers to showcase vacancies and attract talent from black and minority ethnic communities for the second consecutive year. This outcome underscores our commitment to fostering a more inclusive society by promoting employment opportunities. Links CVS is proud to collaborate with the Department of Work and Pensions, Derbyshire County Council, Joined Up Careers Derbyshire, Chesterfield College, and East Midlands Chamber.”
Derbyshire is now home to 50,300 residents from black and minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds, comprising 6.3% of the local population. The BME community in Derbyshire is already playing a significant role in the local economy. However, there is potential to further leverage this diverse talent pool to mitigate skills shortages currently affecting local businesses. Derbyshire stands at a pivotal crossroads where its workforce must mirror the diversity of its population. As the county's demographic makeup continues to diversify, so too must its approach to recruitment, ensuring inclusivity becomes the cornerstone of its hiring practices.
Brian Grant, Step Into Work Programme Officer – Careers - Joined Up Care Derbyshire mentioned, “It has been a privilege to work on behalf of Joined Up Careers and the Derbyshire Integrated Care Board of which we are a part in organising the Unlocking New Possibilities event for the second year. It proves what can be achieved from working in partnership with a group of committed individuals and organisations who are dedicated to achieving real improvement in inclusion within employment and training. The event gives a strong message to employers of the importance of diversity within their workforce and to members of our diverse local communities the importance and value we place on their participation”.
Angela Stansfield, Derbyshire Partnership Manager - Department for Work and Pensions added that “following the success of the 2023 Event, the first of its kind in Derbyshire, DWP have been delighted to be part of the planning of this event and to see the success on the day. It was great to see so many Employers and Organisations coming together to support and recruit candidates for their vacancies, in particular candidates from our local BME Communities.”
The event emphasised that the time for inclusive recruitment in Derbyshire is now! The need of the moment is to build a workforce that reflects the rich diversity of our community, ensuring a brighter, more inclusive future of the workforce.
