Anyone who knows the Heritage sector is aware of the lack of diversity and inclusion, across all segments. Female employees, make up a majority of the workforce, but are too often the lowest ranked and paid. Even when authorities such as the Arts Council make a powerful economic argument for a diverse workforce, as with their #CreativeCase, the needle remains stubbornly stuck. Similar evidence of exclusion and inequity was identified in the 2018 research report Panic! Social Class, Taste and Inequalities in the Creative Industries.
What is imperative for the Arts sector in general is just as stark for employment in the library, archives, information management and knowledge management professions. A 2015 UK study from the Archives & Records Association and the Library and Information Association highlighted:
• Little ethnic diversity in the workforce: over 97% identify as White, including English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish or British
• Most members of the workforce are either Christian (46%) or have no religion (49·6%) • The highest proportion of the workforce with dependent children work in Information Management (23·2%) and Libraries (21·6%)
• Female members of the workforce are more likely to be engaged in unpaid caring and support roles 4.1.3 Health and well-being indicators headlines
• 15·9% of the workforce suffers from long-term health issues, and over a third of this population identifies that their illnesses affect their work
• Male workers in the sector are more likely to occupy management roles than their female counterparts
Widening Access to the Heritage Sector
To encourage those underrepresented in the sector to consider a career within Heritage, Black Cultural Archives (BCA) is organising a Careers day on 9 July 2019 for 150+ people in attendance free of charge aged 18+. The day will inform attendees of the possible roles within the sector, career pathways and educational opportunities.
Currently the programme subject to change:
10.00 – 10.30 Registration
10.30 – 10.40 Introduction – Cllr Sonia Winifred, Borough of Lambeth (TBC)
10.40 – 11.00 Keynote Speech – Hilary Carty, Director of Clore Leadership Programme
11.00 – 12.15 Panel discussion followed by Q&A – chaired by Caroline Hussey-Bain, Panellists Dr Errol Francis, Dr Etienne Joseph and Cedar Lewinsohn
12.15 – 12.25 Debbie Weekes-Bernard, Deputy Mayor of London
12.25 – 12.35 BCA Address – Arike Oke, BCA Managing Director
12.20 – 13.00 Lunch
13.00 – 16.00 CV Clinic
Volunteer, Education & Jobs Fair
Where: Lambeth Assembly Hall on 9th July.
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