Government calls in big gun recruiters for new campaign

Jo Faragher

The Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg yesterday launched an ambitious recruitment campaign to encourage those from less privileged backgrounds to apply for jobs with major UK employers.

Former Dragon’s Den judge and recruitment entrepreneur James Caan, as well as employers such as Barclays and Fujitsu, are helping the Deputy Prime Minister to promote the scheme.

More than 150 businesses have already signed up to the campaign, called ‘Opening Doors’, which means they have committed to offering fair and open access to roles for young people – regardless of where they come from.

Organisations that sign up must also commit to working with local schools and communities to raise aspirations, as well as ensuring fair and formal access to work opportunities, with financial assistance if necessary.

The campaign is part of Clegg’s social mobility drive, and comes as new YouGov research suggests that more than a third of young people between 16 and 25 from higher social grades (ABC1) already have jobs in an industry they have indicated they would like to work in. Just five per cent of those from lower social grades (C2DE), can say the same.

YouGov’s research also found that the majority (56%) of younger people from lower social grades felt that availability of opportunities such as work experience or internships would help them to get a job in their desired industry.

Clegg said: “We have a big problem in this country. Every year employers are closing their doors to talented young people. This is a terrible waste of talent and potential that could be otherwise boosting our economy and driving growth in our businesses.

Clegg has asked James Caan and Peter Searle, CEO of Adecco Group UK & Ireland, to launch the Opening Doors Awards, which will be presented to companies that are doing outstanding work in this area.

Searle said: “Businesses need to change their recruitment practices to reflect the social diversity of the UK today. A key issue facing all businesses is the rise of the ‘lost workforce’ – a generation of young people who sit on the periphery of employability.  At Adecco, we work closely with our clients to help them understand what the barriers to entry are for this passionate and aspirational generation. Without action, many organisations will lose the opportunity to access this future talent pool.”

Those that have signed up feel there will be real business benefits from the programme. Ninety-three percent of them think fair and open recruitment will open up their company to a broader range of talent, while 82 per cent say this creates a workforce with a wider range of people which better reflects their client base.