Willmott Dixon is working with the Black Professionals in Construction network (BPIC) to improve ethnic minority representation and retention.
BPIC provides guidance on inclusion, career opportunities, training, and networking, to improve diverse representation in construction. It will provide Willmott Dixon with a two-month programme of eight workshops on listening and understanding.
The workshops will capture the personal experiences of employees, supply chain partners, and construction graduates across London and the Midlands. These safe spaces aim to enable participants to talk freely about any concerns they might ordinarily be afraid to raise.
Race and ethnicity action plan
The knowledge and insight gathered from the workshops will inform development of a race and ethnicity action plan to improve recruitment and retention of people from underrepresented backgrounds.
Willmott Dixon Interiors managing director Graham Shaw said: “We believe that diverse, complementary teams deliver the best results for everyone.”
Director of BPIC Network Amos Simbo said: “We want to see a more inclusive workforce that reflects the cities we live and work in. The UK is a melting pot of different cultures. We want to see the workplace be a melting pot of cultures too.”
Willmott Dixon has recently made improvements in gender equality. It was recently named a top 50 employer for women by The Times for the fourth consecutive year.
But the firm believes there is more to be done within construction to improve ethnic and racial diversity representation. It says it is “on a mission to better understand” the part it can play.
