Very briefly promoting diversity means an aim to attract talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds, cultures and circumstances. There can be specific focuses within this field but the terms diversity covers a broad spectrum - embracing race, gender, age, disability, religion and sexual orientation.

There are many reasons why diversity is such a well-recognised business quality and the rewards of having a proactive approach are being recognised much more than ever before.

There are benefits both to individuals and businesses from moving towards the most diverse workplace possible. Not only does it make for a more interesting environment in which to work it also means that firms get the most talented people without applicants being put off by obstacles or perceptions that make a career in law unattractive.

What can you do on a practical level?

There is a huge amount that trainees can do to help in this field. Organisations such as Birmingham Future organise schemes whereby people from different professions, including law firms, go into schools to promote their line of work. These talks also help to ensure that people are not deterred to enter the profession by preconceived ideas of what they imagine the role as a solicitor to involve.

For more details see http://www.birminghamfuture.co.uk/

UCE Birmingham have set up a careers mentoring scheme for students from ethnic minorities. As a trainee you would be responsible for giving tips and guidance to student looking to pursue a career in law. This is a scheme that runs every year and is growing in popularity. In 2005 it took on 5 times more students and mentors than in 2004.

For more details please see UCE Birmingham website, and if you would like to get involved when the next scheme runs then please email Richard Holmes.

<<back