Diversity is core to talent acquisition and retention

Jill Gates is vice president, culture and people experience, Europe and Asia, at Ensono. She believes the channel should consider diversity as a core part of their business strategy. This is especially important when it comes to talent acquisition and retention.

“The ongoing skills shortage facing the sector, while presenting a challenge, also offers the channel an opportunity to build a more diverse talent pipeline. If businesses can diverge from traditional hiring practices and expand training opportunities to attract untapped talent into careers in tech, diversity in the channel will continue to grow.”

Gates points to several initiatives that companies can get involved in to encourage talent from underrepresented groups. The UK government’s Kickstart Scheme provides funding for employers to provide training for young adults on universal credit. Meanwhile the Your Future, Your Ambition (YFYA) initiative aims to attract and encourage young people into STEAM careers. Education charity Future Frontiers works with organizations to provide coaching and mentoring to learners from disadvantaged backgrounds to help them fulfil their potential at school.

“These are just a few great examples of schemes and initiatives that channel partners can get involved with to help improve the diversity of the tech talent pipeline and workforce.”