WLN & NBP – an inspiring conference succeeds through collaboration

Following on from last year’s joint event, the WLN and the NBP co-ordinated another inspirational and thought provoking agenda for a crowd of over 150 women and black professionals. Supported by Protocol National and LSIS, this timely and pertinent event focussed on key equality and diversity issues for managers and leaders in the learning and skills sector. One significant aim of this conference was to encourage more women and more BAME professionals to apply for senior roles in order to redress the imbalances in the sector.

Besides debating various diversity issues, the plenary sessions and the workshops tackled sector challenges including styles of leadership, cuts in funding, race equality and much more. The importance of mentoring, coaching and work shadowing was discussed in a workshop led by Rajinder Mann of the award winning Black Leadership Initiative.

A panel of experts expressed their thoughts about the challenges surrounding equality and diversity.

Helen Hughes of the Equality & Human Rights Commission informed us that there are currently only ten BAME Members of Parliament and talented women are missing from the top jobs in this country.

Rob Wye of LSIS challenged the audience to accept responsibility for the diversity agenda.

Carole Stott, Chair of City Lit governing body voiced the need for training and upskilling for governors.

“It’s time to turn the rhetoric into operation,” explained Commander Jerry Saville of the Metropolitan Police Service referring to the diversity challenges ahead.

The Principal of North Hertfordshire College, Finton Donohue urged colleges to begin to develop a strong entrepreneurial style, as the workforce of the future requires enterprise as well as diversity skills.

Delegates were asked to consider innovative ways to offset the impact of the current and planned cuts particularly among women and BAME staff. During the workshop led by Vicki Fagg, Principal of the College of North West London and Gary Chin, Principal of Greenwich Community College three significant outcomes were suggested :-

1. Seek solutions and case studies from the wider sector and promote them widely

2. Lobby against cuts which have negative impact on equality issues e.g. ESOL fees

3. Press for national equality impact assessment of cuts.

Peter Daley, Protocol National’s Director of College Leadership Services offered sage advice to women and BAME professionals considering promotion: play to your strengths and get to the core of what you can bring to the new role.

Another highlight of the day was hearing Derrick Anderson, CBE, now the Chief Executive of the London Borough of Lambeth describe his life growing up in Britain as the son of a Cuban immigrant. He cited the significant role of mentors in his life.

Nick Lindford, Dr Christine Rose, John Stone, Derek Hooper and Wally Brown CBE were amongst a dozen other workshop leaders that engaged participants with practical strategies and tips to take back to the workplace.

Maxine Room, Principal and CEO of Lewisham College stated that if FE leadership was to reflect the national profile of 11.4%, there would be 40 BAME principals nationally – but there are only 16! For women the news has slightly improved – of the 53 colleges that appointed principals this year, 43% were women. There is still some chipping away at the glass ceiling to be done.** (** WLN research paper Feb 2011.)

An optimistic future for women and black professionals in the learning and skills sector is not guaranteed. Funding reductions affect women and BAME staff significantly, but events which inspire and motivate, such as this diversity conference, keep the spirit of expectancy alive and confirm the power of collaboration and the commitment to and challenge for change going.

Participants’ evaluations told us what they appreciated about the day, for example Some examples of what participants told us they valued in the day:

“The enthusiasm and commitment of the speakers and participants - more of this and we can change the world!”

“Motivational and inspirational in all areas”,

“An excellent networking opportunity”,

“A well organised event with interesting debates and workshops” .

Robin Landman, Chief Executive at the NBP and Sally Dicketts, Chair of the WLN co-facilitated the day and summarized the main messages from the conference to send to relevant ministers about current diversity issues in the sector.

For individuals, there was a clear message to find the confidence to go for promotion - the sector needs the talents of women and BAME staff to apply for top jobs. And for the sector, the need was to shift the mindset to overcome the funding issues and develop a diverse and more risk-taking workforce, with the college as the ‘engine of change’.