Bring a positive influence to thousands of Disadvantaged and disabled students…
As business leaders, you will be aware of the growing desire from customers, employees and wider stakeholders alike to become more sustainable, both from an environmental perspective and a societal one.
Building a diverse and inclusive workforce starts with equity in education. By the time young people are ready to enter the workforce, the degree to which they were included in a quality education determines the likelihood they will be successful in work.
Investing in the education of traditionally marginalised populations creates a greater pool of individuals with the skills and talents to contribute to a company’s mission and ensure that they can meet the requirements of the roles companies need to fill.
With more than half of the out-of-school population consisting of girls and young women, addressing girls’ education is another tool for developing a more gender-responsive workforce.
Moreover, half of young people with disabilities are left out of school. But as companies support programs to include young people with disabilities in education and build pathways to inclusive employment, the impact on the business community is tremendous.
Forming employer connections
Environmental, social and corporate governance
Large organisations can contribute hugely to fairness in society, investing in fair and equal opportunities and conditions for employees, people working in the supply chain, and local communities. Equity and fairness are at the heart of Ductu.
In the last few years, the COVID-19 pandemic has deepened the global learning crisis and contributed to a significant talent gap in the workforce. The pandemic increased the global digital divide; decreased access to education, particularly in underserved and minority communities; and laid bare the need for greater skills-based training.
By 2030, there will be a “human talent shortage” of more than 85 million people.
Meanwhile, countries face stagnant growth, widening social and economic inequality threatening security and safety, supply chain disruptions, and intensifying climate change.
Addressing any of these challenges is impossible if young people lack basic developmental milestones and skills needed to provide effective contributions in the workforce. These issues should be central to any company looking to establish a comprehensive approach to ESG.
A growing school cohort across the UK and beyond
There are 1,485,409 pupils in state schools in England with Special Educational Needs – nearly 20% of all students. 1,900,000 pupils are eligible for free school meals, 22.5% of all pupils.
And those startling numbers are only growing number grow each year.
As companies struggle to recruit and retain talent, build diverse workforces, identify new markets for expansion, and ensure the sustainability of supply chains, the current trends in education, if left unaddressed, will intensify the pressures and risks companies face. Given the strong, positive correlations between quality education and economic growth, health outcomes, inequality, stability, and climate action, education is the key to unlocking nonfinancial factors that hinder business sustainability.
