St Mellons-based training provider, t2 group, has become the first in Wales to be awarded a UK-wide accreditation designed to recognise organisations that encourage equality, diversity & inclusion in the workplace.

Managed by the National Centre for Diversity, the Leaders in Diversity accreditation is awarded to organisations that promote fairness in the workplace by helping embed best Equality, Diversity and Inclusion practices.

The Leaders in Diversity accreditation is driven by a rigorous assessment process, during which interviews are conducted with staff at all levels of the organisation, as well as with suppliers and partners, to evaluate how well EDI values and practices are delivered.

As part of the process, t2 group, which was founded in Newport before moving to St Mellons, set up an ‘EDI forum’ that carried out a full assessment of the diversity of the organisation’s existing workforce, devised a series of proactive outreach programmes in the local community and developed quarterly action programmes that were shared with staff, partners and suppliers. As a leading provider of apprenticeships, t2 group was able to influence a wide range of organisations through its action programme and specific outreach activities were introduced.

The programme embraced a range of different themes, including ‘Welsh Language and Culture’, ‘ESGDC’, and ‘Health and Well-being’. A recent UK report revealed that 70 million working days are lost each year due to stress, depression and other mental health conditions and t2’s EDI forum wanted to include specific activities to recognise and address mental health issues in the workplace. Every quarter, t2 now runs a ‘Health and Well-being week’, focusing on topics such as mental health awareness, stress and relaxation techniques.

The group had previously achieved its Level 2 Investors in Diversity award but, according to director of business development and human resources, Dave Marr, wanted to build on the work that had been done to positively promote equality and diversity in the workplace and continue to develop its policies and practices.

He said: “As a responsible employer with more than 500 staff, t2 group wanted to achieve the Leaders in Diversity accreditation to showcase the work that had been completed on promoting equality and diversity in the workplace but also to widen and support an ongoing process cultural change.

“We are acutely aware of the benefits of building and maintaining a diverse workforce but it is important to us that this commitment is extended to all our business relationships and throughout the communities in which we operate.”

Fiona Spence, from The National Centre for Diversity, said: “T2 group has worked hard to embed its commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion into the systems and structures of the organisation, amidst a great deal of expansion.

“I have been most impressed with the positive can-do approach to working on targets that aim to advance opportunities and challenge areas of inequality for staff, learners and local communities. The group has led on key initiatives that support local SMEs to feel strengthened in knowledge and best practice in equality, diversity and inclusion.”