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EM 614/05
Nottinghamshire Training Network
is one of the first organisations in the country to attain the
‘C2E seal of approval’ - the government’s proposed new equality
standard for businesses.
the c2e (Committed to Equality)
programme is being piloted in the East Midlands with the goal of
going national later this year. It has been devised as a result
of the Race Equality Task Force and is supported by a range of
government bodies including GOEM – The Government Office for the
East Midlands.
Chris Payne, Executive Director
of Nottinghamshire Training Network Ltd based at the Mansfield
Business Centre said:
”We decided to go for this
new equality standard because it made good business sense!
As a newly formed
organisation we found the support and assessment helpful in
benchmarking our own equality and diversity policies and
practices to the highest standard. The C2E approval
underpins our role to lead the way in working pro-actively
with diverse local businesses and communities.”
Janet Lakhani, a leading member
for the Task Force and Chief Executive of c2e, designed the
programme has been overseeing the pilot scheme in the East
Midlands. She says:
“The benefits for
businesses operating a well thought out equality policy are
many – including increasing the wealth of the business,
accessing new skills, improving business performance, a
better supply chain and avoiding the cost of bad practice.
“Government bodies in this
region such as GOEM, L&SC, ACAS, Jobcentre Plus and local
authorities have been highly supportive of this project.
There is already some expertise among employers and agencies
in Nottinghamshire in promoting diversity – so we can build
on this and demonstrate to others the many social and
economic benefits that can result from good equal
opportunities practices.”
Over the last four months
businesses in the East Midlands have signed up for c2e
accreditation. The programme takes about 6 weeks to complete and
involves following a step-by-step programme devised by c2e. On
completion a firm will have acquired its own equality policy and
a good understanding of the plethora of regulations and advice
on equal opportunities recruitment and employment practices.
Local advisors are on hand throughout and make on-site visits to
any participating company in the final stages. Once awarded with
its unique c2e number, the participating company will be
re-assessed every 2 years to ensure it is maintaining good
equality practice.
Jane Todd Director of GOEM
said:
"It's great to see East
Midlands companies taking the lead on this important
initiative. We hope that other businesses will follow their
lead."
Firms will be made aware of c2e
and its potential benefits by business advice organisations such
as Business Links, the Small Business Service, ACAS and Chambers
of Commerce. The ODPM and the CRE (Commission for Race Equality)
have also identified the c2e programme as the recommended
equality standard for suppliers to local councils.
C2e aims to register between
60,000 small to medium sized companies and 3000 major companies
across the UK over the next three years, representing 30% of all
businesses employing 10 people or more.
Notes to Editors
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1. |
NTN
has offices in Mansfield; Executive Director Chris
Payne is available for interviews. Tel : 01623
404341
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2. |
C2E
is a legacy of the business-led ippr* Race Equality
Task Force. Its aim is to assist, advise and record
commitment to equality from businesses across the
UK. The C2E seal of approval will be awarded to
businesses that can show they have developed and are
implementing a proper equality policy.
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3. |
The
Race Equality Task Force was set up by the
*Institute for Public Policy and Research and was
launched by the Prime Minister in January 2003. It
is made of CEOs of leading UK organisations who have
already demonstrated a commitment to equality and
diversity. |
Issued on behalf of the
Government Office for The East Midlands by GNN East Midlands.
For more information please contact Jane Wallace on TEL:0115
9712788; FAX: 0115 971 2791; EMAIL:
jane.wallace@gnn.gsi.gov.uk
LEICESTER
FIRM IS ONE OF FIRST IN ENGLAND
TO APPLY FOR NEW EQUALITY STANDARD |
| Commercial laundry
& dishwashing equipment suppliers and engineers,
Wilson Electrics, Broad Street, Syston, Leicester.
Director Karl Wilson says:
"We are applying for
the C2E programme because we strongly believe in
equality of opportunity for all of our staff, job
applicants and customers. The assessment programme
will enable us to ensure that our employment
practices and recruitment procedures follow the good
practice identified as part of the government
review.
“Leicester has an
increasingly diverse range of cultures, and we want
to address this demographic trend and ensure that
our suppliers, customers and employees know that we
are committed to equality".
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LINCOLN
FIRM GAIN NEW EQUALITY STANDARD |
| Geoff Middleton of
ISIS Training and Recruitment based at Silver
Street, Lincoln said:
”We decided to go for
this new equality standard because it fits nicely
with our commitment to being proactive about
Equality and Diversity issues. It seemed an ideal
opportunity to gain recognition for something we
treat as normal and important.
“As we already have
a positive stance on these issues, the C2E
accreditation was relatively swift and painless. Our
‘normal’ practice provided most of the evidence we
needed. Now we are fully accredited we feel
recognised and validated and will be able to push
even further forward in our efforts to make a
difference.”
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DERBY FIRM ATTAIN NEW EQUALITY
STANDARD |
Tim Moseley,
Director of Great Guns Marketing based at Alfreton
Road, Derby said: ”We have always had a commitment
to diversity and equal opportunities, but we wanted
a more robust policy. Going through the c2e process
has made us focus our thoughts and attain a better
understanding of current regulations. “I foresee
this c2e accreditation helping us to attract and
retain a better and more diverse range of staff in
future years.”
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NORTHAMPTON FIRM APPLY FOR NEW
EQUALITY STANDARD |
Covergold Ltd, a
supplier and servicing company of Micrographic and
Imaging Products, employs 18 people at its premises
on Trenter Road at Moulton Park. Manager Brian Lever
said: "We are applying for C2E because not only has
our equality policy enabled us to fill key positions
within our company but, with demographic trends
continually changing, will give us access to a wider
customer base"
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