Students from diverse backgrounds
Black Asian and Ethnic Minority Students
The information in this area has been collated to provide students with resources to access information, advice and guidance related to dealing with racial discrimination, particularly in relation to the workforce, recruitment and / or employment. This page also highlights opportunities with employers who are committed to racial equality and inclusivity.
Future Talent Programmes for Black and Asian Students
Our Future Talent Programmes are designed to supercharge Black and Asian students’ career prospects and confidence through access to meaningful work experience (Placements and Internships) and employers with a genuine interest in recruiting diverse talent into their workforce.
(Future) Black Talent Programme
Our Black Talent Programme has been created to provide a safe and empowering space to advance Black African and Caribbean students’ personal growth and help you to achieve your career goals.
Open to First and Pre-Placement Year students, this programme was created in response to the emerging and existing Placement Progression gaps between Black and White students at Loughborough University.
The programme runs over two years and aims to provide:
-
A community of peers for students to network with
- A safe space to share knowledge, experiences and support one another in a professional capacity
- Opportunities to meet employers that are actively looking to attract candidates of Black heritage, having understood the importance of diversity within their workforce
- Tips and advice to further develop your skills for standing out from the crowd in the recruitment process, to maximise your chances of securing your dream role.
Activities include:
- Peer mentoring - to help students secure placements
- Alumni Mentoring - for students to develop their skills and personal growth
- Talent Match Micro-internships - to add valuable work experience to your CV
- Exclusive employer challenges – to experience typical activities involved in certain roles / sectors
- Guest speakers of Black heritage – to access role models and people in industries with shared lived experiences
- Dedicated sessions with employers – to gain exposure and network with employers looking to recruit Black students.
This year, we'll be expanding our programmes to include a new Asian Talent Programme.
To find out more or to join either of our Future Talent Programmes (Black or Asian Talent), please email future.talent@mailbox.lboro.ac.uk.
Employment Opportunities and 'Positive Action'
Increasing workforce diversity is an area of focus for employers because they have found a positive correlation between having a diverse workforce and business success, e.g., profit, productivity, customer experience etc.
Many employers are actively creating positive action opportunities to attract and recruit students and graduates from diverse social, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
A list of organisations that are offering dedicated ‘positive action’ internships and support can be found below.
Bank of England African Caribbean Scholarship: money for degree sponsorship as well as work experience and insight days.
Bright Network: a free to join innovative network connecting students to employers and opportunities.
Civil Service: The Civil Service run 2 diversity internships – the Early Diversity Internship Programme (1 week) and the Summer Diversity Internship programme (6-9 weeks in summer) for students from the following backgrounds: Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME), socially or economically disadvantaged or consider yourself to have a disability.
Creative Access: advertise jobs in the creative sector as well as insight days and internships. Also provide guidance and 1-2-1 advice to students who register with them.
Colour in tech: offers a fellowship programme to help BAME undergraduates and graduates connect with start-ups to get experience.
Google Top Black Talent Programme: have a dedicated programme for Black students to apply for. Deadline is normally October but there is no website; a google search will find it.
KPMG: have a dedicated insight programme for students of black heritage.
PwC: have a number of opportunities for students of black heritage to get work experience within their business. These include: Black talent in Business, Strategy and black talent
SEO London: provide information on organisations seeking to recruit more BAME candidates, vacancies, and bespoke programmes, networking and insight events.
RARE: provides application support, and recruit for bespoke work experience placements.
Taylor Bennet Foundation: have a training programme, mentoring programme, work placement programme
Uncovering Prospects: an annual event for high potential students of black or Afro-Caribbean heritage, held in Central London in October 2019. Students will be graduating in 2020, 2021 or 2022 and will be interested in exploring internship opportunities in Professional Services and Banking & Finance in London.
Windsor Fellowship: advertises a number of BAME specific internships with top graduate employers as well as their own Leadership programme.
Your Rights
The following organisations can provide you with information and advice on matters related to race and racial discrimination in employment:
ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) provides free and impartial information and advice to employers and employees on all aspects of workplace relations and employment law. They have a guide to support anyone concerned about race, religion or belief discrimination.
Equality, Advisory Support Service advises and assists individuals on issues relating to equality and human rights across England, Scotland and Wales.
The following websites have useful information to support you in finding opportunities with organisations who are committed to creating an inclusive environment.
Target jobs provides some useful information for all diverse groups, including information for BAME students. They host events for certain industries exclusively for BAME students.
Inclusive Top 50 (by The Diversity Group) is a league table of the most inclusive employers in the UK and shines a light on best practice across all strands of diversity – age, disability, gender, LGBT, race, faith and religion.
Business in the Community provide advice, news and information on employers regarding racial equality in the workplaces. They also have an index for the Best Employers for Race (2018).
If you feel that there are cultural, religious, or other reasons relating to your ethnicity that affect or influence your career choices or your decisions about work experience, please book an appointment with our Diversity and Inclusion Team in Careers to discuss these with a dedicated member of staff in confidence.
Access advice and coaching appointments
We are committed to encouraging and empowering all students and graduates to reach their full potential in their personal, academic and professional life.
Our Careers and Student Success staff are trained to give impartial and non-judgemental information, advice, coaching and guidance that is tailored to your individual needs.
You can book an appointment on Target Connect and find out more about the appointments on offer on our 'Book an Appointment' pages.