Enterprise has been included for the fourth consecutive year in the Social Mobility Employer Index 2020, the leading authority on employer best practice, demonstrating our commitment to social mobility in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Employers have a huge part to play in the levelling up agenda, and the Index demonstrates what is possible if organisations commit to supporting young people from all backgrounds.
The Index was created by the Social Mobility Foundation in 2017 and ranks UK’s employers on the action they take to ensure they are open to and progressing talent from all backgrounds. It highlights the employers who are doing the most to change how they find, recruit, and advance talented employees from different social class backgrounds. Now in its fourth year, the Employer Index is the definitive benchmark of organisations committed to improving social mobility in the workplace.
Employers are assessed across seven key areas, these include their work with young people, routes into the company, how they attract talent, recruitment and selection, data collection, progression, experienced hires, and advocacy.
This year saw 119 employers from 17 sectors, who collectively employ almost one million people in the UK, answer around 100 questions. In addition to the employers’ responses, over 14,000 employees also took part in a voluntary employee survey.
Enterprise has been ranked 16th in the Index for the work we have done to tackle this issue, ensuring we enable those from lower socio-economic backgrounds to succeed.
Marwan Bateh, VP of Finance and Social Mobility Champion, said:
“We’re delighted to be included in the Social Mobility Employer Index for the fourth consecutive year. This award, in conjunction with the many other diversity-related awards we have received this year, is testament to the importance that Enterprise places on diversity, equity and inclusion.
We’re keen to share our initiatives to encourage other employers to become more inclusive and take the issue of social mobility more seriously.”
Sarah Atkinson, chief executive of the Social Mobility Foundation, said:
“I am delighted that Enterprise committed to entering the Index this year despite the challenges they have faced in the wake of the pandemic. Now more than ever, we need to see business play their part in the levelling up agenda.”
The Rt. Hon. Alan Milburn, chair of the Social Mobility Foundation, added:
“As the Covid-19 crisis continues and the UK descends into a sharp recession, more will need to be done to avoid a job catastrophe, for young people particularly. Already 60% of the jobs that have been lost since the pandemic began have been among 18-24 year-olds.
I urge those sectors of our economy that are not represented in this year’s Index to participate in 2021 and commit to joining the ranks of those employers who are already making such a difference to young people’s life chances.”
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