LONDON, June 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- CH2M has today been ranked as one of the Top 50 employers in the UK's first-ever Social Mobility Employer Index.
The Index is a joint initiative between the Social Mobility Foundation and Social Mobility Commission, in partnership with the City of London Corporation.
It ranks Britain's employers for the first time on the actions they are taking to ensure they are open to accessing and progressing talent from all backgrounds and showcases progress towards improving social mobility in the workplace.
The aim of the Index is to encourage firms to share their initiatives and progress in becoming more inclusive employers and to reveal which sectors and companies are taking the issue of social mobility most seriously.
Research has consistently shown that people from more affluent backgrounds take a disproportionate number of the best jobs and that employers tend to disproportionately employ graduates who went to private schools and elite universities.
CH2M has been ranked 43rd in the Index for the commendable work it has taken to tackle this and enable those from lower socio-economic backgrounds to succeed. Last year, the firm introduced a number of measures to improve social mobility, including working with over 2,000 students across 31 UK schools to raise awareness of STEM careers.
Firms from 17 sectors, who collectively employ just under one million people, submitted entries about their practices and procedures in areas such as work with young people, recruitment, selection and progression. The final rankings were decided by a respected panel of experts and all firms will receive a report with recommendations for areas for improvement.
CH2M's success in the Index will be announced today at a launch event at the City of London and in a supplement in The Times newspaper.
Rachel White, European Managing Director, said: "We are proud to be the only engineering company recognised amongst the Top 50 employers in the UK for social mobility. As an industry, we need to find enduring interventions to improve social mobility, so that we can develop a sustainable, varied and diverse talent pipeline. The release of our ranking in the Employer's Index reaffirms CH2M's commitment to our clients and in doing so, our commitment to building sustainable communities for generations to come."
David Johnston, chief executive of the Social Mobility Foundation, said: "All the Top 50 firms in the Social Mobility Employer Index should be applauded for the progress they are making towards ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to get in and get on – regardless of their background. They should be congratulated both for having prioritised social mobility and for being prepared to have their processes and practices independently scrutinised."
The Rt Hon Alan Milburn, chair of the Social Mobility Commission, added: "Social mobility is hugely important if the UK is to become more productive and make the most of its talent. But research has shown that people from working class backgrounds – even if they are high educational attainers – are less likely to secure professional jobs because they have less access to the networks and knowledge to navigate the system.
"The Top 50 firms are paving the way by changing their workforce strategies to ensure they don't lose out on talented people from less privileged backgrounds. We want the Index to herald a step change towards improving social mobility by encouraging many more employers to compete to recruit, and keep, the best and brightest candidates – regardless of background."
Catherine McGuinness, Policy Chairman for the City of London Corporation, said: ""These firms have shown real ambition in their approach to tackling social mobility. They are leading the way in removing the barriers which are holding back the best and brightest candidates in our society. Statistics show that people from more prosperous backgrounds, who attend private schools and elite universities, often take a disproportionate number of the best jobs.
"But more companies are making progress on social mobility, casting the net wider in the search for talent and recognising that a level playing field is in the best interests for all businesses. The Index is an effective incentive to UK businesses to demonstrate the progress they are making in this vital area."
Interested in taking the next step in your career? CH2M is hiring! Visit our careers site to apply today, or join our Talent Network to keep up to date with the latest news and opportunities.
About CH2M
CH2M leads the professional services industry delivering sustainable solutions benefiting societal, environmental and economic outcomes with the development of infrastructure and industry. In this way, CH2Mers make a positive difference providing consulting, design, engineering and management services for clients needing world-class solutions in environmental; industrial and advanced facilities; transportation; and water markets, from iconic infrastructure to global programs like the Olympic Games.
Ranked among the World's Most Ethical Companies and top firms in environmental consulting and program management, CH2M in 2016 became the first professional services firm honored with the World Environment Center Gold Medal Award for efforts advancing sustainable development. Connect with CH2M at www.ch2m.com; LinkedIn; Twitter and Facebook.
| Contact: |
Brian Morandi |
| CH2M, Corporate Communications |
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| 720 286 0719 |
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