A voted-for category, LCL Awards won with its inclusivity charter, which encourages approved centres to promote respectful behaviour and flexible course delivery so more people can access training in the building services sector.
The inclusivity charter was launched in April this year, in response to the lack of women and other under-represented groups in building services engineering.
Developed with Hattie Hasan MBE, founder of an all-female plumbing business, Stopcocks Women Plumbers, centres that sign-up to the charter must first review where they are in terms of inclusivity – from not tolerating offensive language, to developing courses which can be delivered online and/or in the evening and at weekends to suit the needs of parents (as well as people fitting training in around the day job).
Breaking down barriers
This inclusivity charter checklist forms part of LCL Awards’ auditing process, which its accredited centres must complete annually.
Director for LCL Awards, Mark Krull, said: “I’m delighted to have accepted the Training Initiative of the Year Award at last night’s HVR awards. Special thanks go to, LCL Awards’ Quality Assurance and relationship manager, Tracy Harker, who helped get the inclusivity charter off the ground, and Hattie Hasan MBE, whose expert knowledge and first-hand experience of getting ahead in what is traditionally a male-dominated field, has been invaluable.
“The inclusivity charter is a really important initiative that aims to help more people access training in the building services sector by breaking down barriers – prejudices and also logistical challenges.
“Overall, the BSE sector is experiencing a skills shortage. We need more people if we are going to meet the demand presented by a low-carbon future. Varied viewpoints and life experiences will also progress our industry for the better.”