BBC starts mentoring programs to increase Diversity
The BBC will launch mentoring programs and other initiatives to fill more top positions with ethnic minority and staff with disabilities. The broadcaster plans to tackle their lack of diversity with several measures over the next three years. According to PersonnelToday these actions will address 90 employees who are covering jobs in radio and TV production, commissioning and scheduling, IT, interactive, marketing, broadcast news, rights and business affairs. Candidates will undertake a mentoring programme, spread over a year, including monthly coaching sessions with mentors, who will be matched to applicants. Steve Kelly director of BBC comments on the plans: âWe are not going to see tangible benefits for two to three years, but I’m confident that we’ll be in a stronger position as a result. In the past the BBC has spread its efforts too thinly and probably not stuck with initiatives for long enough.â He continues. âThis is a long-term commitment and success will be measured in terms of career progression â whether people actually get jobs.â
Additionally the BBC has set targets for ensuring that diversity is reflected on and off air, supported by a number of initiatives aimed at promoting diversity in the workforce as well as in output and content. The current workforce targets are: 12.5% for black and minority ethnic staff overall (11% as at 31 Jan 2008) ; 4% for staff with disabilities – met in November 2007; the workforce targets are currently being reviewed by the BBC Diversity Board, which is chaired by the Director-General.
