Ethnic minorities denied workplace training

Friday, 15 April 2005 12:00 AM

The careers of workers from ethnic minorities are being damaged as employers are less likely to offer them training, according to new research from the TUC.

Today's report argues that at every level of working life many black workers are being denied training opportunities - despite often being better qualified than their white counterparts.

The report shows that 28 per cent of black and minority ethnic workers (BME) are graduates, compared to just 20 per cent of white workers.

But, only 17 per cent of white graduates have never been offered training, compared to 20 per cent of black workers.

"Racism at work is still preventing too many black workers from fulfilling their potential," commented the TUC general secretary Brendan Barber.

As such, the TUC is demanding new legislation be brought in that will "force all employers to give equal access to training for all workers".

Mr Barber added: "The TUC is campaigning to extend Britain's race relations law to make all workplaces respond positively to the training needs of black workers."

Pakistani and Bangladeshi employees are the worst hit when it comes to the denial of training opportunities.

Nearly two fifths (39 per cent) of Pakistani employees and nearly half (47 per cent) of Bangladeshi employees have never been offered training.

And in the case of Bangladeshi men, this rises to more than half (51 per cent).

The report comes ahead of the TUC's black workers' conference, running Friday to Sunday.

Tags: