The Business Case for Diversity project was designed and implemented in order to demonstrate the importance of equality and diversity in the world of business management.  Its overall aim was to achieve a long term shift in management attitudes and skills by embedding principles of diversity into the psyche of the region's managers and into every day leadership and management.  It commenced on 1 March 2008 and ended on 31 December 2009.

The project was led by York College and funded by Yorkshire Forward through the Learning and Skills Council.  The Partners in the project were Bradford University, Leeds University, Leeds Metropolitan University, Northern Leadership Academy and The Fair Play Partnership.  These organisations formed the Strategic Learniing Partnership who contributed to the development of new course material.

A range of compelling teaching materials suitable for inclusion within management and leadership programmes in existence across the sub region were created.  The materials were designed and developed for a wide range of providers to support and encourage embedding of equality and diversity into leadership and management training programmes across the region.

The materials were then piloted in 50 training programmes in the West Yorkshire region which enabled a significant number of the region's managers, from first line to senior management, to be exposed to the compelling message of the business case for diversity in the workforce.  Piloting allowed 174 West Yorkshire-based organisations to benefit from the materials.

These materials were then compiled into a Toolbox.  They have been shared free of charge with many training organisations delivering leadership and management programmes across West Yorkshire through the project's three dissemination events which took place in Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield during November 2009.

The materials are now fully available on this website free of charge to all providers. 

As you engage with the materials we would be very grateful to receive your feedback on them to learn how they are being used and what impact they are having in training and with delegates on your programmes.  Please don't hesitate to contact York College at diversityprojects@yorkcollege.ac.uk or telephone the Project Team at 01904 770234.

Piloting Case Studies

The project team developed a series of piloting case studies which demonstrate a strong business case for diversity.  The case studies were chosen for their depth of engagement in piloting learning materials within existing programmes and because they have resulted in positive business outcomes for the organisations and their employees.  All the pilots for the project raised awareness and importance of diversity initiatives within organisations.

The Piloting Case Studies can be found under the Additional Resources section of Project Resources.

The Business Case for Diversity Strategic Learning Partnership and the York College Project Team extend their thanks to all the organisations who engaged in the project, helped to create compelling learning materials, participated in piloting and attended dissemination events.  We thank you for helping the project achieve its aims and objectives and further advance the business case for diversity.