JRF: Diversity at work

TRAINEE SCHEME TO PROMOTE DIVERSITY AT WORK

This leaflet explains the PATH trainee scheme, how the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) and Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT) has embraced it and its benefits to trainees and employers.

What is a PATH trainee?

PATH Yorkshire is a charity that works with employers to offer training programmes to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people.

JRF and JRHT run a six-month graduate placement programme, during which PATH trainees gain knowledge, skills and experience in policy and research, housing and care services.

Why do we run PATH placements?

JRF and JRHT are dedicated to social inclusion, so it is important to reflect the diversity of society within our workplace, and to recognise the benefits that this brings.

We joined the PATH traineeship programme in 2012 and it has proved a robust and fruitful way to recruit people from a range of backgrounds into valuable, rewarding employment.

Julia Unwin, chief executive of JRF/JRHT “An organisation that works within a single culture is never going to be at its best. Here at JRF and JRHT we strive to be as diverse as possible, welcoming new experiences and knowledge to challenge and progress our work and the PATH graduate programme certainly brings us this.

“Organisations which reflect their community will be more resilient, more aware of risk and opportunity and better equipped to cope in the future. We should never stop learning or be complacent. By bringing dynamic candidates into your organisation through the PATH graduate programme, not only will your skills be passed on, but your organisation will benefit so much from what they can teach you in return.”

Jagreet Soor, trainee 2012 to 2013 “Being chosen and given the opportunity to be part of this placement has been a fantastic experience.

“Not only have I learned how JRF and JRHT operate, thanks to PATH I’ve had a great sense of self development and confidence in my work. You get the chance to develop as an individual.”

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Nashon Jaffier, trainee 2012 to 2013 “I take pride in being able to reflect on the programme and hope to continue improving the skills I already possess.

But I aim to take all that I’ve learned from my time at JRF and JRHT and put it to good use in the future.

“I am privileged to have had the first-hand experience of management during projects. Thanks to seeing many different parts of JRF and JRHT, I’ve now got a broader understanding of the role of social housing and care services within communities.”

Shaun Rafferty, director of central services “PATH delivered a high calibre of candidates for our current programme leading to a successful placement and we would have no hesitation in recommending PATH to other organisations.

“There are a number of benefits to JRF/JRHT. The main one is the new and refreshing perspective on our work each trainee brings with them; using their own knowledge, experiences and backgrounds to reflect on what we do and how we do it, which develops and progresses our organisation for the better.”

Sally Houghton, JRHT’s service improvement officer

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“Each PATH trainee brings a different perspective to the work that we do – questioning and challenging work we may have done over many years and identifying new ways of working.

“The placement also provides staff with the opportunity to support and be managed by a new member of staff – albeit on a temporary basis. Again that creates some interesting challenges for staff.”

Danisa Baloyi, trainee 2014 “Through my PATH traineeship, I gained knowledge and experience of a number of departments and how they function across the two organisations. By working in communications, policy and research, finance and housing I was able to take part in the day-to-day duties of a range of roles.

“I’ve learnt to adapt to different working styles and how to better manage my working time. I’ve also improved my communication skills. Since the traineeship ended, JRF has employed me for a further six months as a research assistant, which is again a great opportunity for me to learn and gain experience.”

About PATH PATH was established in 1985 as a positive action training organisation to address the under-representation of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, under the auspices of Leeds City Council.

It was endorsed by the Secretary of State for Employment under sections 37 and 38 of the Race Relations Act 1976, now superceded by Equality Act 2010, as a positive action training organisation that can provide training and relevant support to BAME communities within mainstream and vocational areas where they are under-represented.

PATH’s mission is to help people from these backgrounds open doors by developing their potential through quality vocational training, education and career opportunities in areas of employment where they are under-represented.

FIND OUT MORE For further information about JRF and JRHT’s involvement with PATH, contact Suzanne Feavers on 01904 615921 or suzanne.feavers@jrf.org.uk You can find out more about PATH Yorkshire at www.pathyorkshire.co.uk Read more about our work at www.jrf.org.uk Other formats available ISSN 0958–3084

Joseph Rowntree Foundation The Homestead 40 Water End York YO30 6WP Tel: 01904 615905

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