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Graduate Workforce Bradford Project

Our aim

Led by the University of Bradford, the Graduate Workforce Bradford project (GWB) has been set up to help boost the job prospects of black, asian and minority ethnic (BAME) graduates across the Bradford Metropolitan district.

GWB is working to address two challenges faced by the Bradford district:

  • The underemployment and unemployment of BAME graduates
  • The recruitment, skills gaps and workforce diversity needs of Bradford employers, particularly within the health and social care, manufacturing and engineering, and public service sectors

GWB is developing a sustainable approach to providing effective support to graduates and assisting employers to develop inclusive recruitment practices and workplace cultures.

A group of graduating students

The need for action

Our research indicates graduates from a BAME background are less likely to progress into a graduate level job in comparison to their white peers, with COVID-19 exacerbating such disparities. We value and recognise our BAME graduates' talent and want to ensure our ambitious graduates have the opportunity to fulfil their social and economic potential.

Workstreams

We are delivering our work through four workstreams:

  1. Business Development
    • Activities to support businesses to develop their graduate workforce and pipeline
    • Supporting businesses to develop the diversity of their workforce
  2. Graduate Talent Pool
    • Enhanced/targeted guidance, job and enterprise coaching support
    • New opportunities, e.g. jobs, placements, mentoring
  3. Sector and Community Events
    • Engaging with local BAME community members to explore local labour markets and graduate opportunities
    • Building stronger partnerships between local BAME communities and businesses
  4. Action Research
    • Develop a deep understanding of the extent of place and culture-based career decision making on BAME graduate career choices
    • Identifying and testing new practice models to support BAME employability and employment
A group of students taking part in the ASEP programme

News and events

We have a very strong track record in supporting the employability of our graduates, with 94% being in employment or further education within six months of graduation. However, we have to make sure that we identify any issues that lead to graduates not fulfilling their potential and Bradford employers not accessing the skills available

Professor Shirley Congdon, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bradford

Bradford Graduate Journeys

Watch the video

Hear from University of Bradford alumni and students about their career journeys so far and aspirations for the future.

This video is also available with subtitles.

Our Project partners

University of Bradford

Lead partner

University of Bradford

With an alumni community with over 140,000 graduates in over 175 countries, the University of Bradford remain to expand their international reputation, course provision, and research impact. They are continuously anticipating the requirements of students, employers and of society as a whole. There are an evident institution dedicated to the dissemination, creation and applications of knowledge for the benefit of global society.

www.bradford.ac.uk
University of Bradford

Lead partner

Bradford Chamber of Commerce

Partner

Bradford Chamber of Commerce logo

As accredited members of the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC), Bradford Chamber of Commerce is proudly connecting, supporting, and representing businesses for over 150 years.

www.wnychamber.co.uk/about
Bradford Chamber of Commerce logo

Partner

Bradford for Everyone

Partner

The logo of Bradford for Everyone

Led by the Stronger Communities team at Bradford Council, Bradford For Everyone delivers pioneering, and well evidenced initiatives which brings people and communities together in consequential and sustainable ways.

bradfordforeveryone.co.uk 
The logo of Bradford for Everyone

Partner

Bradford Health and Social Care Economic Partnership

Partner

Bradford Health and Social Care Economic Partnership

The Health and Social Care Economic Partnership unites leaders from across Health, Social Care, Further Education and Higher Education with motivation to harness their ‘anchor institution’ asset, and to work in new and different ways to have a positive impact on the Bradford District.

bradfordskills.co.uk/health-social-care-economic-partnership
Bradford Health and Social Care Economic Partnership

Partner

Bradford Trident

Partner

Bradford Trident

Bradford Trident aims to involve, encourage and support individuals & their families, to work together to expand skills and be enterprising, to improve the health and wellbeing of all, to enhance the environment and to celebrate as a community.

www.bradfordtrident.co.uk
Bradford Trident

Partner

Department for Work and Pensions

Partner

Department for Work and Pensions

As the UK’s biggest public service department the Department for Work and Pensions is responsible for, pensions, welfare and child maintenance policy to around 20 million customers.

www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions/about
Department for Work and Pensions

Partner

Education Development Trust (EDT, National Careers Service)

Partner

Education Development Trust (EDT, National Careers Service)

Working collaboratively with local and national schools, governments, and other partners from around the world, Education Development Trust design and deliver continuous solutions to better education and transform lives.

www.educationdevelopmenttrust.com
Education Development Trust (EDT, National Careers Service)

Partner

Khidmat Centre

Partner

Khidmat Centre

Khidmat Centre aims to address vital inequalities faced by vulnerable individuals of the community from minority ethnic backgrounds.

www.khidmat.org.uk
Khidmat Centre

Partner

Opportunity Area

Partner

Opportunity Area

The Bradford Opportunity Area aims to understand and tackle the several issues and barriers children and young individuals face in the district.

bradfordopportunityarea.co.uk
Opportunity Area

Partner

QED Foundation

Partner

QED Foundation

Since 1990 QED Foundation continuously creates opportunities to help develop a peaceful and cohesive society where everyone can contribute and be rewarded for their efforts. QED promotes a positive image of Britain’s BME communities and celebrates their accomplishments.

www.qed-uk.org
QED Foundation

Partner

SkillsHouse Bradford

Partner

SkillsHouse Bradford

Skillshouse offers bespoke support to help fill vacancies, including pre assessment, recruitment and interviews of candidates based on business requirements.

www.skillshouse.co.uk
SkillsHouse Bradford

Partner

University of Bradford Students' Union

Partner

University of Bradford Students' Union

University of Bradford Students Union provides students with the opportunity to meet and expand their skills through sports, volunteering, media areas societies and many more.

www.bradfordunisu.co.uk
University of Bradford Students' Union

Partner

West Yorkshire Police

Partner

West Yorkshire Police

West Yorkshire Police serve approximately 2.2 million people living in one of the five metropolitan districts of Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield. 

westyorkshire.police.uk
West Yorkshire Police

Partner

Find out more

If you would like more information regarding the project or are interested in participating in the workstreams please email Project Leader Urfan Faqir or phone Urfan on 01274 235804. You can also email our Research Assistant, Alex Fitzpatrick.

Follow our Instagram Page instagram/gwbproject for the latest information.