BMet supports Black FE Leadership Group Plan to stand against racism

BMet is pleased to announce that we are now officially part of the Black FE Leadership Group (BFELG) 10 Point Plan to stand against racism.

Although anti-racism, along with all other areas of equality, have always remained high on our agenda, the initiative will further align with our vision and values to promote diversity and inclusion.

The Plan is to be integrated in all areas of the organisation including policy, CPD frameworks, managerial practices, recruitment and much more.

It will enable employees across our colleges to lend their support to the cause, by putting steps in place to highlight and implement positive strategies centred around curriculum, culture and communication.

Here is what our Principal and CEO, Pat Carvalho had to say about the plan:

“Diversity and inclusion are at the very core of everything we do at BMet, which is why we have affiliated to the Black FE Leadership Group – joining many colleges across the country in doing so.

We have made this decision because we want to bring about real and sustainable change to develop an anti-racist college.

That is not to say that we think the college is racist, but that we believe it’s important to not simply make passive statements, but to be proactive.

We are working with the group as we agree wholeheartedly with what they stand for and the action they are taking.

Against a background of increased concerns on racial equality over recent years, the BFELG believes it is only right to assess how further education colleges are performing, and collectively address the barriers that students, staff and communities face, given the personal, economic and social costs of racial inequality.

The Group’s 10-point plan covers four key themes where colleges need to reflect racial equality: curriculum, culture, climate and communications, and is being backed by the further education sector’s national membership body the Association of Colleges.

This week we have started our work with the group in earnest and have had our induction training on the 10-point plan.

This involved BAME colleagues in these conversations, hearing about their lived experiences. And I am looking forward to working with them and the rest of our staff to take the 10 point plan forward for BMet.

I am genuinely excited to see where this will take us and that BMet is involved in this positive and game changing initiative.”

You can also see Pat’s video here: