By Karen Allan, Employability Adviser.

Making the most of the opportunities available to you are what resourceful people try to do to achieve their ambitions. Here are some opportunities that could make the difference in securing future career success.

What are 'diversity programmes'?

The majority of organisations recognise that having a diverse workforce that reflects the community makes good business sense. For a number of reasons, many businesses find they have underrepresentation in their workforce from people from specific groups. This could be people with disabilities, black and minority ethnic groups, gender bias in certain job roles.

To try and redress this some employers and training organisations promote 'diversity programmes' to give an insight and practical experience to specific groups of people. It is hoped that following such a programme, whether it is one week or three months that the participants will have the knowledge and confidence to apply for a regular job.

Here are examples of some opportunities currently being advertised. Many have closing dates in January 2017, so why not give these some thought.

Civil Service

Are you on track for 2:2, in the last two years of university and interested in working for the government? Their Summer Diversity Internship Programme will allow you to gain experience within the Civil Service, as well as being paid!

https://www.faststream.gov.uk/summer-diversity-internship-programme/


Change 100

For students with a disability or specific learning need such as dyslexia then Change 100 may be offering that first entry into your ideal job.

Change 100 offer summer internships in a variety of business, IT and engineering roles. The roles are paid and supported by the Leonard Cheshire Foundation

Apply for a Change100 internship today!

To apply you must meet the following criteria:

  • have a disability or long-term health condition
  • be in the final or penultimate year of your degree, or have graduated in 2015 or 2016
  • have achieved or be predicted a 2.1 or first (mitigating circumstances will be taken into account)
  • be eligible to work in the UK for the duration of a full-time summer work placement

To find out more about the application process, please download the Change100 student brochure. For more information email us.

You can find more information and vacancies for 'diversity programmes' on http://careerscentral.shu.ac.uk/planning-your-future/disabled-students then click into the most appropriate drop down tab.