Growing inclusion and diversity in the SW digital sector' series: Second session

The Heart of the South-West Local Enterprise Partnership has joined forces with the Tech Talent Charter (TTC) to bring to you the ‘Growing Inclusion & Diversity in the South West Digital Sector’ two-part series. Offered to employers of talent in digital and technical roles in Somerset, Devon, Plymouth and Torbay for free, this series will be delivered over 2 lunchtime sessions. These sessions are for businesses that recognise the business case for inclusion and aim to build and then progress their inclusion and diversity (I&D) strategy in 2022.

The second session will take place virtually on 15th December 2021 from 12.00 – 13.30.

Why register your interest to participate?

They know that two of the biggest business challenges facing most businesses are skills shortages and hiring talent. Skills shortages are becoming more urgent every day. To address this challenge requires a new way of thinking about finding, keeping and developing talent. It requires inclusion.

Businesses need to identify new sources of talent fast. Most hiring managers, especially those in tech, have been fishing from the same small pond for talent. It’s time to access the talent traditionally underrepresented in tech, such as women and other underrepresented groups who have largely been excluded from the industry to-date. To access this diverse talent (and retain it) businesses must become more inclusive.

Some people think this can only be done in big businesses with large HR teams or in companies that have someone with specific responsibility for Inclusion and Diversity, with a big budget and time to make things happen. We know this is not the case. The TTC has worked with hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses over the last few years that have driven forward change. We know there are small, practical steps you can take to really move the dial and get great, diverse people in the door and to retain them to build more innovative teams and move your business forward.

If you get the ‘why’, but your company would like help with the ‘how’ then sign up to join these two sessions.

Further information

This 2 part series will be delivered virtually in short sessions over lunch time on 4th November and 15th December. The sessions will be linked so, to make the most of it all, participants must commit to attend both sessions.

Session 2 agenda (15th December 12.00 – 13.30):

Each participant shares a brief overview and insight into the plans they’ve worked on since session one (30 mins)
Another panel session (with different people from SMEs) providing initial feedback on the action plans that participants have shared. They will also share specifics on the practical steps they have taken to begin their inclusion and diversity journey including what has worked best and the obstacles they have had to overcome (45 mins)
Wrap up and next steps

All sessions will be run on a Chatham House Rule basis. Honesty is key. Coming to the session and not having all the answers is welcomed. We are all up for the tough conversations and finding positive practical ways forward.

This is a free series however we are requesting that organisations commit to having a representative at both sessions. Your organisation will be promoted on LinkedIn as a company working to drive greater inclusion and diversity in tech and included in related press releases.

At the end of this 2 part series participants will:

Know where to find information that will help you to respond to challenge on the business case for inclusion and diversity from different stakeholders;
Know how to navigate the Tech Talent Charter’s Open Playbook to find information and ideas about ‘what works’ and practical resources to adapt and make use of within your own organisation
Have met colleagues in the South West region who are on a similar journey.

This series is for you if:

You have responsibility for driving inclusion and diversity in a business based in the South West;
You are a director or manager in a South West based business;
Your role is in HR (within a South West based business) and you are keen to do more on inclusion and diversity;
You are a champion of inclusion and diversity in your company.

Sponsored by: Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, driven forward by the LEP’s Digital Skills Partnership.