2016 Equality and Diversity Apprenticeship Conference.

Kate Osamor MP. Shadow Junior Minister Women Equalities says BAME are being undervalue, constantly rejected, and at a high risk of unemployment in the UK; this was said today at the 2016 Equality and Diversity Apprenticeship Conference held at Market Square Edmonton London.

In her address, she noted that most often blacks are underachieved and misrepresented due to misinformation, misrepresentation and lack of support on the government part; she further stated that some group of BAME are doing well why some are not;  she urge blacks to move outside UK in search of work opportunity. she concluded by stressing the need for BAME to cooperate, support each other and form a bond to succeed.

Dr Fiona Aldridge, Asst. Director for Development and Research, Learning and Work also noted that employers often try blind application process, behaviour insight to determine work process to avoid racial discrimination and the success rate is still low among blacks; she also noted that if you live in an area where blacks are predominated your chances of getting selected in work force  is low. She charged BAME to seek guidance in preparing curriculum vitae, how to answer interview questions and face to face interview to be able to compete with the white counterpart.

Jeremy Crook OBE.BTEG and Chair of BIS Apprenticeship Advisory Group says many schools are not promoting apprentice and many are still in dark about the programme, he suggested that government needs to do more in getting the message across to the young and old. He further said that most service provider prefer white employee to blacks, most service provider don't even look into ethnic diversity in their recruitment processes, he also mentioned issue of generic approach, negative stereotype, physical reaction, perception among others as a barrier in work force. he urge the government to do more in selection processes. 

During the interactive section, Cllr Christiana During representing Enfield Council raised her fear for the young blacks and state that her ward Edmonton Green is the worst affected crime area in Enfield, she urged parent and guidance to do more in training their worth’s.

The host and founder of Career Paths Online, Colin Lee-Own in his speech charged the government to do more in getting young black back to work and partner with faith groups, existing BAME organisation to ensure equal opportunity in work force. he mentioned three key sectors  where blacks are lack behind-Engineering, Digital Media and Technology.

The conference was chaired by Dr Velma McClymont, a former lecturer in Caribbean history and literature. She opened the event by paying tribute to Mohammad Ali, former Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the World, who challenged racial injustice in 'white America' in his heyday.

A community champion, Dr McClymont said the time had come for 'positive action' to tackle Black youth unemployment. She raised concerns that faith/community groups were closing at an alarming rate due to funding issues, cutting vital support to disadvantaged young people.

Dr McClymont closed the event by thanking the speakers and attendees for their contributions and for making the day a success. A writer/poet, she referred to gun/knife crime blighting the lives of Black youth across London, citing the death of Kiyan Prince (2006). She drew the conference to a close by reading two of her poems about 'black on black crime', underachievement of our young people, unemployment and 'ambition unfilled'.