Graduate Workforce Bradford Project
Our aim
Led by the University of Bradford, the Graduate Workforce Bradford project (GWB) has been set up to help boost the job prospects of black, asian and minority ethnic (BAME) graduates across the Bradford Metropolitan district.
GWB is working to address two challenges faced by the Bradford district:
- The underemployment and unemployment of BAME graduates
- The recruitment, skills gaps and workforce diversity needs of Bradford employers, particularly within the health and social care, manufacturing and engineering, and public service sectors
GWB is developing a sustainable approach to providing effective support to graduates and assisting employers to develop inclusive recruitment practices and workplace cultures.
The need for action
Our research indicates graduates from a BAME background are less likely to progress into a graduate level job in comparison to their white peers, with COVID-19 exacerbating such disparities. We value and recognise our BAME graduates' talent and want to ensure our ambitious graduates have the opportunity to fulfil their social and economic potential.
Workstreams
We are delivering our work through four workstreams:
- Business Development
- Activities to support businesses to develop their graduate workforce and pipeline
- Supporting businesses to develop the diversity of their workforce
- Graduate Talent Pool
- Enhanced/targeted guidance, job and enterprise coaching support
- New opportunities, e.g. jobs, placements, mentoring
- Sector and Community Events
- Engaging with local BAME community members to explore local labour markets and graduate opportunities
- Building stronger partnerships between local BAME communities and businesses
- Action Research
- Develop a deep understanding of the extent of place and culture-based career decision making on BAME graduate career choices
- Identifying and testing new practice models to support BAME employability and employment
We have a very strong track record in supporting the employability of our graduates, with 94% being in employment or further education within six months of graduation. However, we have to make sure that we identify any issues that lead to graduates not fulfilling their potential and Bradford employers not accessing the skills available
Professor Shirley Congdon, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bradford
Our Project partners
Find out more
If you would like more information regarding the project or are interested in participating in the workstreams please email Project Leader Urfan Faqir or phone Urfan on 01274 235804. You can also email our Research Assistant, Alex Fitzpatrick.
Follow our Instagram Page instagram/gwbproject for the latest information.