How can educational establishments bridge the gap between education and the workplace?

By Arv Kaushal, keynote speaker at the This is Us conference

Arv Kaushal

The educational sector not only plays a role in equipping young people with academic abilities, but it also provides them with an insight into societal expectations such as the world of work. For these very reasons, it is important to demonstrate diversity within education from the get-go, not only through means such as the curriculum itself but also through other aspects like teacher development and leadership structures.

Some educational establishments can be seen as irreflective of society today and could do much more in terms of cultural competence. In fact, the recent Pearson Diversity and inclusion in schools report reveals that 80% of UK teachers believe that more can be done to celebrate diverse cultures, people, and experiences in UK education. This raises the question, if educators are working within an environment which does not champion them, how can they equip students with the confidence they need to enter the workplace?

This article will explore the way in which diversity can be embedded within educational institutions and how staff within this sector can not only be celebrated but also encouraged to excel. The piece will also discuss how this change would have a knock-on effect on the students and better help them embark into the world of work.

What do we mean by diversity?

The most common misconception about diversity is that it is simply a codeword for ‘ethnic’. However, diverse factors can also refer to gender, sexuality, class, religion, nationality, or disability. Promoting diversity is about reflecting all sectors of society and not only through physical characteristics. Diversity of thought is also incredibly important as traditions can often be challenged to better suit the ever-changing society of today.

Why is diversity within education so important?

Diversity ties into the concept of ‘social belonging’ a term used to describe a feeling of inclusion and acceptance in a group of people. Social belonging is deemed so important that the Harvard Business review described it as ‘essential for human function’. A lack of this feeling among colleagues can lead to a lower organisational commitment and be detrimental to a business’s goals.

From the curriculum to educational professionals in higher positions, diversity can inspire new concepts, ways of practice, and thoughts. Diversity is also important when it comes to student engagement. If students do not see themselves reflected in the curriculum or the teachers and leaders that educate them, they are more likely to become disengaged and less confident. This is evident through a study by Kenneth Henson and Ben Eller which showed students work best within a diverse environment – not only in terms of engagement but also in creativity and collaboration, equipping students with soft skills that are beneficial for the world of work. The Harvard Business Review reported that social inclusion was linked to a ‘56% increase in job performance, a 50% drop in turnover risk, and a 75% reduction in sick days.’

A diverse workforce allows students from different backgrounds to identify with their teachers, which then builds their trust within their learning environment. Furthermore, recruiting staff from all walks of life can encourage new ideas that will subsequently help everyone to overcome challenges that are faced by students and staff alike.

How can we encourage diversity within the education sector?

Diversity can be promoted within the education sector in a multitude of ways. The main focus of promoting diversity should be through the workforce – without a diverse foundation, it is very hard to create a space which champions inclusivity.

This starts by looking at the workforce internally. It is important to consider if the school, college, or university is an attractive place to work. This can be done by assessing large aspects of work life such as pay and comparing staff pay grades. For example, is there a gender or ethnicity pay gap evident? If so, take a look into the reasons why that is and try to rectify it immediately.

The senior leadership team should be well informed and trained in how to best respond to people with different needs. This can be done through training development courses, attending diversity conferences and events, or even visiting a school with a more diverse staff force than theirs. Through taking these steps, leaders are best equipped with the knowledge of the communities in which they serve and are better able to provide a stellar education for all.

Another thing to consider is cultural competence: is the environment welcoming towards other cultures? This can be demonstrated through seemingly smaller things such as providing alternative meal options for the staff cafeteria, allowing staff to observe religious holidays and through various other means. Implementing these steps builds trust amongst staff and provides them with confidence in the fact that the school they work for has their best interests at heart.

With confidence, staff may perform better and be able to progress easier into leadership roles, encouraging a more diverse leadership team over time. These practical steps are the best way to ensure that the diversity policy goes beyond paper and can actually be seen in the reality of the day-to-day.

Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace

When it comes to the workplace, there is much to be done in terms of diversity. Research shows that those from privileged backgrounds and of higher class are almost 80% more likely to land professional jobs in comparison to their working-class counterparts. This can be attributed to various factors such as cuts in school funding, social centres, and a lack of substantial support from home. Aspects such as these are beyond many education professionals’ means and there is a heavy responsibility on government bodies to better bridge the gap.

However, one way in which the gap can be lessened is through educating staff on how to best deal with students coming from more underprivileged backgrounds. This can be done through training staff on how to provide additional resources to encourage students from these backgrounds to pursue higher education and traineeships so that they can excel in their future careers.

It is important to look at how traditional teaching methods are received by the student demographic. For example, if the convention is to give a student detention for not completing their homework – it may be the case that the student does not have the resources at home to do so, therefore providing alternative solutions such as a homework club space or additional afterschool classroom hours. Furthermore, having a staff workforce which is reflective of the student population shows students that professional opportunities are attainable and helps to build trust and encourage aspiration.

To gain insight into real discussions, conferences can be a great tool in gaining access to a full programme of resources including panel discussions, workshops, and talks, hosted by a variety of organisations. It’s important for businesses to attend such events as it is an opportunity to facilitate open conversations around inclusion and diversity and their importance in the workplace.

What will my business gain from attending the conference?

Business conferences are an excellent way of improving employee engagement and recognising the achievements of attendees. These events provide valuable insight into ways to empower the team, increase their visibility, highlight their worth, and improve communication.

This is Us Conference is a conference and an awards ceremony that encourages and supports corporate cohesion by championing diversity and inclusion. The aim of the event is to raise awareness and promote diversity and inclusion across the East of England and the Midlands. By attending business conferences such as This Is Us, companies can not only facilitate their own business development, but the talks also help companies:

• Uncover practical ways to create an inclusive workplace environment
• Identify ways to bridge the gap between education and the workplace
• Develop an understanding of corporate diversity.
• Aspire to better practice
• Generate positive headlines

This is Us will explain and study D&I’s importance to business delegates and explore ways in which businesses can boost employee morale, and visibility, resolve any alienation issues and provide and promote a healthy, happy, and inclusive workplace.

In summary, the conference aims to promote diversity, equality, and inclusion in the smaller hubs outside of London.

Awards are an effective way to inspire and attract prospective younger employees, as they are a good indicator that a business is committed to providing ample opportunities for training and development. Awards such as the This is Us are committed to championing organisations that offer work training to young people and those from underrepresented groups. Whether the organisation is challenging the status quo by diversifying the curriculum or providing workplace experiences to those with underprivileged backgrounds.

Conclusion

The report overall showed the significance of all politicians, schools, employers, and university chiefs working together to lessen the gap between job opportunities for all young people. Through diversifying the workforce within education, solutions can be provided to lessen the gap between education and schools. It will help many students better prepare for their expectations of the workplace and equip them with the confidence to better embark on their future careers.