Workforce Integration Ambassador Programme launches

By Blackburn College

13 May 2021

college-and-council-launch-2021-workforce-integration-ambassador-programme-photo-taken-before-covid-19-pandemic.jpg

Picture here are 2019/20 Workforce Integration Ambassadors (photograph taken before the COVID-19 pandemic)

Blackburn College is delighted to lead on a Workforce Integration Ambassador programme, as part of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s social integration programme, Our Community, Our Future.

The programme brings together companies based in Blackburn with Darwen, who are committed to ensuring an inclusive and diverse workplace to share best practice.

The programme also supports local employers to develop diverse workforces, allowing people from different backgrounds to mix at work.

Each participating company will identify a member of staff who can train as a Workforce Integration Ambassador. Ambassadors will participate in four training sessions focused on recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce. The interactive workshops include sessions with external agencies and experts and the project will train 20 ambassadors. Places are limited.

The ambassadors will be supported to develop Action Plans and companies who successfully complete the programme will have access to a grant of £300 to support implementation of their action plans.

Kathryn Rigbye, HR and talent manager at PM+M Solutions for Business LLP, said: “I would recommend the programme without hesitation, it provided an excellent opportunity to share good practice and develop useful skills and techniques. The conversation flowed from the beginning, providing an understanding of different perspectives in a supportive network.”

Nazir Makda, equality, diversity and inclusion lead at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “The programme provided a safe space to share practice and challenges without any judgement. Each organisation is in a different place on their journey and can pick up practice and skills from each other.

“I am continuing to support this programme as I believe we can achieve greater harmony and a better place for all by working and learning together. The programme made me think and reflect and I picked up new skills which I have put into practice. Please join us in this supportive Ambassador network.”

Sessions will be held in a COVID-secure environment at Blackburn College, with an introductory workshop taking place from 12pm midday to 1pm on Friday 2nd July 2021. Further workshops take place from 10am to 4pm on Friday 3rd September 2021, Monday 24th September 2021 and Friday 22nd October 2021.

To find out more come along to one of the online recruitment sessions on Tuesday 25th May 2021 at either 12pm noon or 6pm. To book your place, visit blackburn.ac.uk/WIA2021

You can also contact 01254 292500 or [email protected]

Our Community, Our Future is a three-year programme which brings together a wide range of local partners in order to work together to strengthen relationships between people from different backgrounds. This helps the borough become a place where diversity is valued and where people’s faith and cultures are understood and respected.

Rebecca Ramsay, interim head of prevention and neighbourhoods at Blackburn with Borough Darwen Council, said: “Providing opportunities for people to come together naturally is a key part of our social integration strategy. Creating more diverse workplaces is a vital part of our plans in this work.

“Already in 2019/20, Blackburn College successfully delivered the Workforce Integration Ambassador programme and, as a result, a number of local employers in the public, private and third sectors have implemented changes to their recruitment practices and created working environments that are suitable for people from different cultures. It’s an important way to bring together people who otherwise may not come into contact with each other.”

Blackburn with Darwen is one of five national Integration Areas invited by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to work closely with them on innovative plans to address social integration.

There’s more information about the Our Community, Our Future programme on the Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council website.

Latest news

1

PM urged not to retaliate over tariffs Manufacturing

PM urged not to retaliate over tariffs

03 Apr 2025

2

CMAC Group appoints Matthew Ratcliffe as chief operating officer Matthew Ratcliffe CMAC

CMAC Group appoints Matthew Ratcliffe as chief operating officer

03 Apr 2025

3

For sale signs at The Villa Villa Wrea Green has been brought to market (Image credit: The Villa Wrea Green)

For sale signs at The Villa

02 Apr 2025

4

Montane group expands with new Lancashire hub Anthony Rae Scott Murcott And Adam Lee

Montane group expands with new Lancashire hub

02 Apr 2025

5

Trio of wins for Lancaster brand and digital consultancy Tom Grattan MD and Daniel Wallace

Trio of wins for Lancaster brand and digital consultancy

02 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Lancashire Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880395853-4862066883-1-original.20241022-091152-2.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
04 Apr 2025 - 04 Apr 2025

Lancashire Business Expo 2025

Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre, Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
24 Apr 2025 - 24 Apr 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

People Power: Exclusive Event Series
Stay ahead in 2025.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
29 Apr 2025 - 29 Apr 2025

People Power: Exclusive Event Series

People's History Museum, Manchester, M3 3ER

17:00 - 21:00

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar

Cottons Hotel & Spa , Knutsford, WA16 0SU

16:00 - 18:00

Liverpool Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-881365363-4862066883-1-original.20241023-085714.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
23 May 2025 - 23 May 2025

Liverpool Business Expo 2025

Aintree Racecourse , Liverpool , L9 5AS

09:00 - 15:00

National Centre for Remote and Rural Medicine Conference 2025
Remote and Rural 3.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
05 Jun 2025 - 05 Jun 2025

National Centre for Remote and Rural Medicine Conference 2025

North Lakes Hotel and Spa, Penrith, CA11 8QT

09:30 - 17:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin