A new charity which aims to promote the development of all sectors of the workforce is calling for support from members of the hospitality industry.
The One & All Foundation, which officially launched yesterday, needs mentors and mentees to help drive the charity`s work forward as well as suitable role models from the industry and sponsors to help raise funds.
The charity`s vision is to make it easier for all available talent, especially those falling into the `six strands of equality` - age, religion/belief, gender, disability, sexual orientation and ethnicity - †to progress in the hospitality industry to "create a plentiful pool of aspiring management that is representative of our workforce."
According to research, by 2011, only 20 per cent of the UK’s workforce will be white, male, able-bodied and under 45.
Yet the One & All Foundation has found that currently only 6 per cent of middle managers in the hospitality industry are Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) and across all industries only 6 per cent of UK board members are female.
Director Jennifer Miller said confronting the issue could prevent valuable employees leaving the industry and help address a skills shortage.
She said: "This is not about positive discrimination or quotas, but about recognising talent, nurturing and developing it. If we go out and seek that talent we should all benefit."
The charity, which counts chef Michael Caines, Gleneagles Chairman Peter Lederer and Chess Managing Director Chris Sheppardson among its trustees, will run information sessions and workshops for different levels in the industry.
For more information about its work visit www.oneandall.org.uk
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New industry charity to highlight equal opportunities