Over the last 10 years, the world of DEI has changed drastically, and for good reason. Organisations and companies have become more conscious, and a 2023 survey by the Nigel Wright group found that 57% of UK businesses regard equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) as a strategic priority when recruiting new staff. The figure is staggering, but surprisingly, there has never been a framework for equipping organisations with a competency framework to implement workplace DEI – until now.
The Competence Centre for Workplace Equality (CCWE) is the first organisation in the world to set out a complete framework and give companies everything they need to understand and implement effective DEI solutions so they are embedded in the companies fabric.
The CCWE have worked with some of the most talented DEI professionals in the world, and have spent years researching and putting the framework together. As it stands, anyone can call themselves a DEI professional. There are no qualifications to entry, which means there is no real way of measuring the impact of strategies. This leaves the area open to mis-interpretation and abuse, which is shocking as it is already a misunderstood area. Ashanti Bentil-Dhue, the founder of the Competence Centre for Workplace Equality is confident that the framework will change the way that companies treat their staff, and it will support leaders and managers in being more aware and understanding of the issues faced by different groups so they can support them better.
“The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion industry, although fast becoming a critical part of how organisations adapt to and address the needs of an ever-changing workforce, it is unregulated, and quite rightly so. There is growing scrutiny as to the competency and the expertise of DEI providers and professionals by politicians and the wider industry,” says Ashanti.