Blog

March 29, 2023 | Paula Kemp

Storytelling to support social mobility

Storytelling is a powerful tool to support your organisation’s social mobility strategy. It can help colleagues to understand the challenges others have faced, helps leaders to understand how they can help and promotes an inclusive, trust-based culture. Ahead of our employers’ masterclass ‘The art of using storytelling to build inclusion’ we asked Shannon Miller, from […]

BlogRecap

February 14, 2023 | Social Mobility Commission

Recap: Using Apprenticeships to improve social mobility and build skills for life

Apprenticeships offer numerous benefits to learners, including the opportunity to earn while you learn, which is especially important for disadvantaged apprentices. They can also help organisations of all sizes, in all industries, build diverse and talented workforces.  However, research shows that the majority of apprentices are not from lower socio-economic backgrounds. So what can employers […]

BlogRecap

January 24, 2023 | Social Mobility Commission

Recap: Using workforce data to understand and improve social mobility

As an employer, data is one of the most important tools you have for understanding and improving diversity in your workplace, including social mobility. However, many employers report that collecting socio-economic data remains their biggest challenge. In our latest masterclass we explored the importance of collecting relevant and high quality data, including practical advice such […]

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January 17, 2023 | Social Mobility Commission

Employer blog: Using data to improve socio-economic inclusion

Data is one of the most important tools you have to understand and improve diversity in your workplace. Any forward-looking socio-economic diversity and inclusion strategy begins with data. Collecting the right data, and knowing what to do with it, will help to shape your plans at every stage. However, many employers report that collecting socio-economic […]

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December 5, 2022 | Social Mobility Commission

Recap: T Levels: What, why, where and how?

T Levels are a new alternative to A levels and other further education courses in England. Equivalent to 3 A levels, a T Level focuses on vocational skills and can help students into employment, higher education or apprenticeships. Each T Level includes an in-depth industry placement that lasts at least 45 days, so students spend […]

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November 14, 2022 | Social Mobility Commission

Recap: In conversation with Ann Francke OBE, The building blocks of social mobility in the workplace

We recently launched our new ‘Building Blocks Toolkit’, which provides simple, first-step guidance to help businesses and organisations of all sizes, up and down the country, access a wealth of untapped talent and kickstart their socio-economic diversity strategy.  On 9th November we were delighted to be joined by Ann Francke OBE, Chief Executive of the […]

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November 8, 2022 | Social Mobility Commission

Lifelong Learning – how can we support adults to learn?

Lifelong Learning Week (7th-11th November) is a celebration of the power of learning to transform people’s lives. Coordinated by Festival of Learning, it is a week of activity which aims to celebrate the benefits of lifelong learning and inspire more adults to learn. As part of our celebration of Lifelong Learning Week, Alun Francis, Deputy […]

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November 1, 2022 | Social Mobility Commission

Employer blog: Increasing social mobility through management and leadership culture

Socio-economic inclusion is not solely the domain of big corporate businesses with large HR departments. It’s about helping businesses and organisations of all sizes, up and down the country, to access a wealth of untapped talent. Don’t worry if you are only just getting started with this agenda – even the most inclusive employers need to […]

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October 31, 2022 | Social Mobility Commission

Recap: Mentoring as a tool to support social mobility

To celebrate National Mentoring Day (27th October), we brought together an engaging panel to explore the importance of mentoring in supporting workplace progression and social mobility, and discuss their advice for setting up and participating in a mentoring programme.   If you missed it, you can watch the recording below, and read on for our top […]

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October 24, 2022 | Social Mobility Commission

Employer blog: Taking small steps with mentoring

October 27th marks the ninth National Mentoring Day, an opportunity to raise awareness of the benefits of mentoring and encourage more people to get involved!  We know that mentoring can play a key role in supporting workplace progression, and we’re delighted to be running a masterclass on October 27th, exploring ‘Mentoring as a tool to […]

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October 14, 2022 | Social Mobility Commission

Employer blog: National T-Levels Week

The first ever National T Levels Week is running from 10th-14th October, celebrating T Levels and the benefits they bring to both young people and businesses. T Levels are an alternative to A levels and other further education courses. Equivalent to 3 A levels, a T Level focuses on vocational skills and can help students […]

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October 12, 2022 | Social Mobility Commission

Recap: The importance of culture and leadership – in conversation with I. Stephanie Boyce, President of the Law Society

An organisation’s culture – the behaviours, values and practices that shape the everyday experiences of its staff – is key to a truly diverse and inclusive workforce. Simply employing people from a variety of backgrounds does not guarantee an inclusive culture, but what steps can you take to ensure that everyone feels valued and supported […]

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July 15, 2022 | Paula Kemp

State of the Nation 2022 report – key insights

Our recently published State of the Nation 2022 report contains key insights on the state of social mobility right now in the UK. Using an innovative set of metrics, we were able to establish a new framework, the Social Mobility Index, to measure how socially mobile people are across the UK now, and in decades […]

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June 30, 2022 | Paula Kemp

Recap- Employers Masterclass: Data – what, why and how?

Why start collecting socio-economic background data on your employees? What specific data should you collect? What does it show you?  How do you get started and how can you improve your response rates? In our latest Employers Masterclass, we discussed the importance of collecting socio-economic background (SEB) data and how it is key to understanding […]

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June 17, 2022 | Paula Kemp

Alun Francis – what social mobility means to me

  Organised by social mobility charity Making the Leap, the first Social Mobility Awareness Day takes place on 16 June 2022.  The idea is to promote wider conversations about social mobility and to celebrate the organisations committed to bringing about positive change. Alun Francis, Deputy Chair of the Social Mobility Commission (SMC) and Principal and […]

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June 17, 2022 | Paula Kemp

Employer blog: Darrell Sharpe, Aviva Investors

In celebration of Social Mobility Awareness Day, which took place on 16 June 2022, we are sharing stories from some of the organisations that are committed to bringing about positive change.   Our third blog comes from Darrell Sharpe, Junior Sovereign Analyst in the Emerging Market Debt, Aviva Investors telling his story of how accessing further […]

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June 16, 2022 | Paula Kemp

Employer blog: Maisha Rashid, Purchase Ledger Administrator, Jupiter Asset Management

In celebration of Social Mobility Awareness Day, which takes place on 16 June 2022, we are sharing stories from some of the organisations that are committed to bringing about positive change. Our second blog comes from Maisha Rashid, Purchase Ledger Administrator, Jupiter Asset Management telling her story of how undertaking an apprenticeship was the right […]

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June 15, 2022 | Paula Kemp

Employer blog: Lennon Ball at Phoenix Group

In celebration of Social Mobility Awareness Day, which takes place on 16 June 2022, we are sharing stories from some of the organisations that are committed to bringing about positive change.   Our first blog comes from Lennon Ball, telling his story of how being employed at Phoenix through the recent Kickstart Scheme (a government-funded scheme […]

BlogEvents

Recap – Employers Masterclass: Apprenticeships

Employers and training providers rely on apprenticeship programmes to provide new opportunities, upskill people from inside and outside their organisation and contribute to a more innovative, inclusive workforce. In our latest masterclass we considered how an organisation’s early careers strategy could help access the most diverse pool of talent – and whether there’s more employers […]

BlogNews

April 28, 2022 | Rachael Cochrane

Recap – Employers Masterclass: How to talk about class in the workplace

How do you talk openly about class in the workplace? In our latest Employers Masterclass, we discussed the importance of having a workplace environment where employees can talk openly about their backgrounds –enabling employees to feel able to bring their whole selves to work.  Catch up on the session and read our key takeaways from […]

BlogNews

March 24, 2022 | SMC Admin

Recap – Employers Masterclass: Progression

How does someone successfully climb the career ladder in your workplace? In our first Employers Masterclass of 2022, we explored how employers can support employees to progress within their organisations by setting up clear frameworks, investing in training and supporting their career aspirations. Catch up on the session and read our key takeaways from Tuesday’s […]

BlogNews

October 25, 2021 | SMC Admin

Recap – Employers masterclass: Outreach

Our October masterclass looked at the ways in which employers can use Outreach to reach and attract a wide pool of talent. We were joined by Rachael Saunders and Funbi Akande from Speakers for Schools, a youth social mobility charity, formed in 2010 to make sure that every young person has access to the same […]

BlogNews

October 14, 2021 | SMC Admin

Apprenticeships & social mobility: you can help apprenticeships reach their social mobility potential

The Social Mobility Commission’s new toolkit: ‘Apprenticeships that works for all’ has been launched today (14 October). This blog explores the current apprenticeship landscape and sets out why we developed this toolkit. View the toolkit We hosted a virtual toolkit launch event on Thursday 14 October, where a panel of experts explore key challenges around […]

BlogNews

October 13, 2021 | SMC Admin

Event recap – Be inspired to make the change:  Practical advice from those within the creative industries 

Following our recent publication of our Employer’s Toolkit for building socio-economic inclusion in the creative industry – Farrah Storr, SMC Commissioner and Editor-in-Chief at ELLE UK – spoke with industry insiders to hear their experiences of the sector;  what responsibility individuals and organisations have to think differently about socio-economic inclusion, and how they think the […]

BlogNews

October 7, 2021 | SMC Admin

Long read: Pathways to success – how employer outreach programmes can help disadvantaged young people feel ‘career ready’

Increased productivity, better employee retention, improvements in employee wellbeing: the benefits of building a socio-economically diverse workforce and a workplace culture inclusive of those from low socio-economic backgrounds are becoming increasingly clear to many employers.  More and more businesses are removing barriers in their hiring processes and driving cultural change to ensure that those from […]

BlogNews

September 29, 2021 | SMC Admin

Tackling the #ClassCrisis in the creative industries: how Creative industries employers can promote socio-economic diversity and inclusion

The creative industries are among the United Kingdom’s most valuable sectors. Pre-pandemic, it was estimated that the creative industries employed over 2 million people, contribute £115.9bn to the UK economy and were growing four times faster than the economy as a whole.  The impact of employment, work experience and training opportunities on an individual’s life […]

Blog

September 21, 2021 | SMC Admin

Recap: Employers Masterclass – Social mobility, hiring and recruitment

In our latest masterclass (16 September), we put the focus on hiring and recruitment – exploring the common practices that can create artificial and unnecessary barriers to potential applicants from lower socio-economic backgrounds. We were delighted to be joined by Danny Matthews and Hazel Remeika from Co-op, who shared their approach to hiring in a […]

Blog

August 3, 2021 | SMC Admin

In-Work Progression Commission: why training and progression should matter to you and your staff – and how you can best support it

Earlier this month, the In-Work Progression Commission – led by Baroness McGregor-Smith – published their new report: Supporting progression out of low pay: a call to action.  The report is a vital addition to the conversation around barriers to training and progression for those working in low-paying roles. We know a substantial proportion of the […]

BlogNews

July 20, 2021 | SMC Admin

State of the nation 2021: Post pandemic, employer practices will continue to be vital to progress on social mobility

Today, the Social Mobility Commission published its annual appraisal of social mobility in the UK’. Titled ‘State of the nation 2021; Social mobility and the pandemic’, the report draws on an extensive evidence base to lay bare the key barriers to social mobility that exist today. In this article, we outline the implications of the […]

Blog

July 5, 2021 | SMC Admin

Social Mobility Masterclass Recap: Leadership & Culture – Who’s driving the social mobility agenda in your workplace?

In our latest masterclass on Leadership & Culture, we were joined by Caroline King, Head of People for Head office, Reward and Inclusion and Joanne Mackie, Customer & People Director,  to reflect on their experiences of forging a compelling, shared vision of the importance of social mobility across Superdrug and Savers 18000+ workforce – and […]

Blog

May 28, 2021 | SMC Admin

Recap: Progression Masterclass: As an employer, where do I start?

What steps can you – as an employer – take to remove barriers to progression within your organisation for people from low socio-economic backgrounds (SEB)? Following the publication of our report on progression in the civil service, Navigating the Labyrinth, our latest Employer Masterclass explored how to make sure that your processes aren’t actively getting […]

Blog

March 31, 2021 | SMC Admin

Social Mobility Data Masterclass – why you need to #AskTheQuestion

In our recent Social Mobility Data Masterclass, we explored the importance of collecting data on employee’s socio-economic backgrounds for creating effective diversity and inclusion strategies. You can watch the recording of the Social Mobility Data Masterclass here*. We were joined by Andrew Young, Workforce Diversity Lead at the BBC; Cliff Sale, Social Mobility Programme Lead, […]

Blog

March 30, 2021 | SMC Admin

The cross-roads of social mobility: post 16 education choices

As they reach the age of 16, young people make critical decisions – this is a pivotal moment that will have a lasting impact on their future prospects in life. These choices strongly influence their future educational opportunities, employment prospects and how much they’ll go on to earn. In other words, they impact social mobility. […]

Blog

March 3, 2021 | SMC Admin

Reaching talented people from all backgrounds

On 25 February we held the second employers’ masterclass series of the year, exploring how you can reach, attract and foster a diverse pool of talent. Outreach is about attracting candidates who may not traditionally apply for roles within your organisation, yet could make a significant contribution in future. They may not have been to […]

Blog

February 15, 2021 | SMC Admin

Apprenticeships, a game-changer for social mobility

To mark National Apprenticeship Week 2021, we held a special event on 10 February exploring how apprenticeships can drive social mobility. In this session we looked at the positive impact they can have on your workforce, but also delved into some of the key challenges faced by employers in reaching a diverse pipeline of talent. […]

Blog

December 15, 2020 | SMC Admin

Social mobility masterclass for employers #6: Data

Data – the foundation of any diversity & inclusion strategy, with the Bridge Group In the last of our masterclass series on 3 December, we explored Data with the Bridge Group. This session followed the launch of our new guidance, which makes measuring socio-economic diversity in the workplace easier than ever – and we also […]

Blog

December 10, 2020 | SMC Admin

Explore our new resource for financial & professional services

We’re proud to announce the launch of our very first sector-specific toolkit – financial & professional services. Following months of consultation with trade groups, academics and leading employers in law, accountancy, management consultancies and financial services – this new toolkit provides unique insights into how best to level the playing field, whilst driving competitive advantage. […]

Blog

November 26, 2020 | SMC Admin

Social mobility masterclass for employers #5: Progression

Progression – opportunities to advance, with the Ministry of Justice The fifth session in our employers’ masterclass series, Progression, took place on 19 November. Our previous sessions covered outreach, hiring, culture & leadership and advocacy. Progression with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is all about how you can support employees throughout their careers, by offering equal access […]

Blog

November 24, 2020 | SMC Admin

Explore our new guidance on data – launched today

Today marks the launch of new guidance, making measuring socio-economic data easier than ever for employers. Data is at the heart of every forward-thinking diversity & inclusion (D&I) strategy. In order to take the right action at the right time, you first have to understand where you are at, as a business. This guidance will […]

Blog

November 16, 2020 | SMC Admin

Our new reports highlight training as the key route out of low pay

Two new studies from the Social Mobility Commission highlight the importance of in-work training to progress workers out of low pay and improve social mobility. Together, these two reports show how policy makers and employers can work together to get the most out of workplace training – benefiting individual workers, business and society at large. […]