Clusters of Work

1. Improving Situations of Women in the Labour Market
   
   This cluster will particularly focus on the issues of:
   
   
   • Inactivity rates for BME Women - BME women have high inactivity rates, particularly Pakistani and Bangladeshi Women
   • Family commitments of BME women - Childcare, where large families may make it difficult for BME women to be committed to a full-time job
   • Women in isolated homes - Where there may be patriarchy and cultural/religious barriers
   • Domestic violence and child abuse - Impact on BME women
   • Skills of BME women - Knowing what skills are needed by employers for specific jobs and providing training to acquire these skills
   • Supporting women when in actual employment and helping them to deal with racism
     
     
2. Supporting the Inclusion of European Economic Migrants, Contract Workers and Refugees
   
   This cluster will particularly focus on addressing:
   
   
   • Poor access to local services e.g. education, health, employment agencies
   • Lack of understanding/integration with wider community (not knowing the British system)
   • Xenophobia and social tension - Hostile media and environment
   • Deficiency in employability skills
   • Lack of networking and role models
   • Lack of recognition of overseas qualification and experience
   • Lack of appropriate consultation
   • Language difficulties
   • Poor housing
     
     
3. Combating the Isolation of Isolated Households and Individuals
   
   This cluster will particulary focus on addressing:
   
   
   • Remoteness of rural areas and valleys;
   • Social inclusion;
   • Discrimination and harassment;
   • Lack of mutual support networks;
   • Lack of understanding by statutory agencies of the problems faced by BME individuals (cultural and diversity issues)
     
     
4. Enabling BME Individuals to Gain and Progress in Employment
   
   This cluster will address the following issues:
   
   
   • Transition to work
   • Access to skills and learning opportunities
   • High expectations of employed BME individuals not met by employers
   • Lack of opportunities for progressing from low level /paid work
   • Prejudice or institutional racism among employers
   • Institutional segregation
   • Lack of Role Models
   • Lack of inspiration/aspiration amongst the BME youths
     
     
5. Empowering BME Communities.
   
   This cluster will particularly focus on the following issues:
   
   
   • Not enough people with relevant support skills leading to inadequate capacity to provide support/training/advice
   • Weak links with other bodies
   • Communication levels are low - leading to:
     
     • People with high qualification levels entering low level jobs;
     • Notably access to clerical and administrative jobs (within the communities, men and women in their 30’s and 40’s would like work in clerical and administrative posts, but are not able to do so because of low levels of English comprehension)
       
   • Spouse accompanying workers (eg. Nurses) are often prevented from working - due to residential status barrier

Main Sponsors