New report recommends how to increase diversity and inclusion in competitions

The report is based on a review of existing practice, the data of over 3,000 registrants for competitions, interviews with almost 700 key stakeholders and insights from four literature reviews.

WorldSkills UK aims to use the independent research to inform, influence and drive positive change in its Skills Competitions programme.

The recommendations in the report come from the perspective of:
• Women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
• Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) competitors.
• Competitors with special educational needs (SEN).
• Competitors who are members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender plus (LGBT+) community.
• Competitors from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The report gives a number of recommendations for WorldSkills UK to focus on. 

Responding to the report, WorldSkills UK Chief Executive Dr Neil Bentley-Gockmann OBE said, “The research found that the issues we faced with diversity and inclusion were reflected in the wider FE sector. Many colleges reported that they struggled to attract young people to non-traditional skills, which has a knock-on effect on those they entered into our competitions. We know we have an important role to play in tackling these existing stereotypes and pre-conceptions."

“I very much welcome the findings and recommendations from the comprehensive and ambitious report by TSIP– as a careers and skills development network with a global reach, as a convening platform for partners across the skill sector and as an employer. We are determined to make changes at WorldSkills UK and I hope those in the sector will commit to joining us, so together we can help more and more young people succeed.”

Neil explains how WorldSkills UK is addressing the report’s recommendations in his latest blog.