Targeted Outreach Projects

Equalitec designs and assists in the implementation of targeted out-reach projects; recruitment processes that specifically reach out to a particular target group, helping companies and organisations make their diversity policies a reality.

Case Study

In 2007, an IT company ThoughtWorks took seriously the gender diversity knowledge and statistics discussed at the Equalitec Diversity Forum events run by the Royal Academy of Engineering during 2006-2007, in particular, the obstacles faced by women returning to IT Industry after a career break.

In partnership with Equalitec, ThoughtWorks piloted a targeted recruitment scheme. The scheme included a period of intensive retraining on Agile software development methods provided in-house.

Of the 60 that applied, 12 were selected to participate in the scheme and received the training. All completed and four were offered a position at the company. The remaining eight have joined a follow up process run by Equalitec, and financed by ThoughtWorks, to ensure that their job-seeking efforts also end up in a success. A month into the follow-up support, 50 percent have secured a job. Thus within four months of the scheme of the 12 women who started, 8 were successfully returned to industry, and the rest are continuing applying and attending interviews.

The pilot has gained international acclaim and was held up as an exemplary model of recruitment at the EU Commission of Information Society and Media conference in 2008.

Jackie Kinsey, People Director at ThoughtWorks, presented the scheme at the EU conference ... download presentation

Coverage

ThoughtWorks targets female returners, Madeline Bennet, IT Week

ThoughtWorks encourages women to rejoin IT industry, Women in Technology

Equalitec can help your organisation design and implement a targeted outreach project and tap into an underutilised pool of talent ... contact us