North East businesses opening up more opportunities to all

Support from North East diversity experts 50:50 has led to one North East organisation being inundated with potential new employees, as well as improving the workplace for existing colleagues.

Sunderland Software City (SSC) wanted to update its recruitment and business processes to be more accessible and inclusive. This was challenging, due to the recent business expansion, so the team engaged 50:50 for support.

As well as attracting more candidates to job vacancies, following training delivered by 50:50, SCC found that benefits have included a more transparent culture, improved productivity, and the creation of an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) working group.

Jill McKinney, head of skills at SCC, said, “the whole dynamic of the team has changed, we really needed a ‘stop moment’ as we had become quite stale in our makeup. As a team, we are now more mindful and we better understand our different personality types. Since the 50:50 training, we’ve seen an increase in colleagues sharing their opinions and having open conversations.

As a result, our team has been more productive and successful harnessing those differences in opinions and utilising the diversity of thought we now have.

“We have had a full overhaul and review of our recruitment process which has attracted a more diverse range of people, so much so that one job role we previously advertised with no applicants was then inundated with interested candidates.”

“The training sessions with 50:50 provide a safe space for employees to share their understanding and world view of the complex issues that any organisation has to deal with from an ED&I perspective.”

Lyndsey Britton-Lee, co-founder of 50:50, said, “within six months of their training programme ending, SCC has already seen a huge impact. We can’t believe the huge progress the team has made in such a short space of time, which shows their commitment and investment to an authentic ED&I strategy and approach.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →