This document outlines a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) pledge created by the BAME Apprentice Network. The pledge aims to promote equal opportunities for people of all backgrounds in employment through positive promotion of apprenticeship opportunities. Employers who sign the pledge commit to six principles, including taking action to advance DEI, engaging with BAME communities, creating BAME role models, and collaborating to share best practices. The pledge provides guidance and tools to help employers increase DEI in their organizations and make meaningful differences in people's lives.

1. www.BAMEApprenticeNetwork.com
info@bameapprenticenetwork.com
0121 708 0731
DEI PLEDGE

2. Introduction
Unemployment impacting young people’s future employability and wages arising from the effect of
the Covid-19 pandemic are well documented. As organisations look to restore their services it’s
important that they embrace the need to become diverse and inclusive, that they transform their
approach to talent attraction by drawing in people from the widest possible pool. Focusing not only
on the workforce and leaders of today, but how they can inspire and provide opportunities for our
talent of tomorrow.
We believe that young people, no matter their background, should
have equal access to the outstanding opportunities that Britain has
to offer. This is why the BAME Apprentice Network is committed to
being the conduit between education and business, promoting the
importance of apprenticeships. In particular, highlighting the skills
and talents of young people among the BAME communities.
We believe that every organisation has a role to play in promoting
apprenticeship diversity, and our Diversity Pledge is just one way in
which employers can commit to creating more inclusive and
progressive pathways into employment.

3. Our Vision
We aim to level the playing field
for people of all backgrounds to
have equal opportunities within
employment through the positive
promotion of apprenticeship
opportunities. We plan to
transform how employers reach
out, recruit, and progress their
diverse workforce. Creating
sustainability within diversity
building culturally intelligent
employers who have a diverse,
equitable and inclusive workforce.

4. Rally corporate organisations and the business community to advance diversity and inclusion
within the workplace and wider community through focusing on advancing opportunities for
talent.
To publicly demonstrate a commitment to support the progression of people from BAME
backgrounds by focusing on talent pipeline through apprenticeships.
To provide a platform to share success stories that inspire future generations and initiate
change.
To acknowledge the importance of intersectionality through recognition that every individual has
a unique difference and unique talent contribution to make.
To raise awareness of the practical steps an employer can take to increase diversity, tackle social
mobility, and narrow the skills gap, by providing more career opportunities.
To build a powerful collective of employers who sign up to the Pledge, acting as agents of positive
change.
Our DEI Pledge Aims
The aim of our pledge is to:

5. Pledge Principles
Signatories of the Diversity Pledge commit to SIX core principles:
1. Take stock and take action
Diagnose your DEI position and develop a clear strategy and take action to
advance diversity, equity and inclusion. Be open, honest and transparent
but willing to change, appoint DEI champions to encourage action across
the organisation.
2. Engage in positive action and training
Employers agree to take positive steps to engage in activities that will assist
them in making a difference. Examples of positive action include setting up
initiatives within your organisation to raise cultural awareness as well as DEI
staff training and management training.
3. Recruit from and engage with BAME communities
Get involved in initiatives that take place in local communities, speak to your
existing diverse talent, identify new opportunities. Use the BAME Apprentice
Network Jobs board to reach out to a BAME audience when marketing new
vacancies. Reach out to schools in diverse communities. Run BAME
engagement events and use the network to advertise them.

6. 4. Create BAME role models within your organisation
You can’t be, what you can’t see, so it is important for organisations to
promote their existing BAME talent. Nominating your existing talent for
awards such as the BAME Apprenticeship Awards are a fantastic
opportunity to create role models for your organisation. It is an
opportunity for them to share their journey with a wider audience.
5. Support BAME talent with progression and training
Provide extra internal support for your BAME talent or encourage them to
actively participate in the network and attend professional development
and networking events. Create a mentor scheme internally or support the
BAME Apprentice Network mentor scheme.
6. Collaborate and share best practice
Engage positively with other organisations and share best practice. The
network provides an opportunity for peer to peer networking. Use the
network’s news page to promote success stories and editorial pieces with
guidance for other employers to follow.

7. Act steadfast in championing the Pledge Principles.
Work positively towards implementing Pledge Principles in their
organisation.
Share best practice and engage in network activities.
SIGN UP TODAY AND MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN
By signing up to the DEI Pledge, employers agree to:

8. 1. Build relationships with schools and colleges, creating more visibility of
employment pathways and skills requirements within your sector so that
young people can make informed decisions about future careers.
Recommendations for Success
Creating an Inclusive culture that inspires the future generation and
values people’s unique different requires a holistic approach together with
the implementation of a range of inclusion initiatives.
We have listed TEN steps organisations can take to create a Diverse,
Equitable and Inclusive workforce.
2. Provide access to structured work experience opportunities and/or
quality apprenticeships.
3. Review the attraction processes to ensure that language, imagery and
tonality are not discriminatory or inadvertently dissuade any groups
applying.
4. Ensure that anyone involved in the hiring process has received
appropriate training and understand the role they play in supporting the
organisations' commitment to diversity and inclusion.

9. 5. Provide constructive feedback to all applicants who are unsuccessful at
interview stage. This will serve to help the candidate to understand their
strengths and areas of continued development.
6. Participate in opportunities to raise awareness of their business
through community engagement.
7. Create platforms for role models to share their career journey, inspiring
young people and encourage internal applications for more senior posts.
8. Develop reverse mentoring and peer to peer mentoring program to
learn from the experiences of those of different ethnicity, gender, age,
sexual orientation or faith and from a different socio-economic
background or living with a disability.
9. Create clear company values, placing people at the heart of what you
do and bring them to life through everyday operational practices.
10. Create internal transparency about your company’s commitment to
inclusivity and ensure that everyone understands the role and
contribution that they play in shaping an inclusive culture.

10. Sign up and get involved
The BAME Apprentice Network aims to change the landscape
of DEI within apprenticeships, the Pledge has been designed
to encourage and support employers with practical steps in
becoming more Diverse, Equal, and Inclusive. We not only give
you guidance to follow but also provide you with practical
tools to use that will enable your organisation to meet the
outcomes of the pledge.
By signing up to our DEI Pledge, your organisation will be at
forefront of change, making a meaningful difference to the
lives of thousands of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
You are showing the business community, your employees
and those you are looking to recruit you are committed to the
cause and are actively partaking in initiatives that will bring
about change.
To sign up to the Pledge, simply choose from our wide range
of membership packages. Our packages provide added value
options that will give you more opportunities to get involved
with our activities and further advance your journey.
For more information, or if you are interested in taking part in
any of our programmes, please contact:
kasim@thinkfest.co.uk

11. This Pledge has been created by Teresa Boughey, bestselling author of ‘Closing the Gap’
and Diversity & Inclusion Thought-Leader in partnership with the BAME Apprentice
Network, a division of Thinkfest Limited. For guidance and instructions on how to increase
DEI in the workplace please feel free to reach out to Teresa for more information and
support.
t: +44 1952 301302
m: +44 7970 778874
e: teresa@inclusion247.com
w: www.inclusion247.com
Teresa Boughey
CEO Inclusion 247
TEDx Speaker | Diversity & Inclusion Thought Leader |
Bestselling Author| Non-Executive Director| Media Commentator

12. www.BAMEApprenticeNetwork.com
info@bameapprenticenetwork.com
0121 708 0731
It's time to act, time to unlock talent and
time to close the diversity gap.