#TalkAboutBlack, a campaign and workstream within The Diversity Project, has launched its fourth Skills Workshop, with the aim of increasing social mobility and challenging underrepresentation within the investment industry.
The free five-month virtual programme of workshops, which is being launched in partnership with CFA Society UK, Diversity Project, Amplify Trading and GAIN UK, is for people aged 18 and over with an interest in the investing, irrespective of their grades, education and subject area.
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The programme, which will run between June and October this year, will include workshops focused on sector-specialised and industry issues, as well as practical advice on how to take the first steps towards a career in investment. The sessions will include learning to write a successful job application, as well as a trading floor simulation.
Alongside the workshops, there will be a virtual careers fair featuring 30 member firms of The Diversity Project.
Rachel Green, founder of the Skills Workshop and co-lead of #TalkAboutBlack, said: “#TalkAboutBlack is delighted to be launching the Skills Workshop for the fourth year in a row. Feedback from participants of the scheme over the past three years truly highlights the impact of this programme with past participants saying how grateful they were to have received practical training, and also noting how useful they found the virtual careers fair, with almost 50% letting us know that they would apply for a job at one of the companies they met at our careers fair.
“As we continue to strive for a more inclusive and diverse investment and savings industry, we are delighted to be broadening this year’s programme to also focus on LGBTQ+ students and students of minority religions. Through the workshop, we hope that we are able to provide all students, no matter their background, religion, gender or sexuality, with the basic skills and industry insights needed to thrive in this industry”.
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Baroness Helena Morrissey, chair of the Diversity Project, added the Skills Workshop has already made “a great impact” to date, having introduced more than 26,000 students to the investment and savings management industry.
“It is a great opportunity for our members to show young job seekers that they are committed to inclusive recruitment and to showcase their firms and their culture,” she said.
“The Diversity Project continues to strive towards creating an industry with the right talent to deliver strong outcomes for our clients and which reflects the society we serve, in turn helping to future-proof the sector.”
This article first appeared on PA Future’s sister site Portfolio Adviser
