Taylor Bennett Foundation launches new programme in Scotland

A charity set up to tackle the lack of ethnic diversity in the communications industry is to launch its first graduate training programme in Scotland.

The Taylor Bennett Foundation (TBF), which works with PR agencies and in-house communications teams to provide intensive training for black and minority ethnic (BAME) graduates, will launch its first programme outside London in early June, providing training for four graduates over five weeks. 

Lead sponsors of the programme are Standard Life Aberdeen and strategic communications consultancy Charlotte Street Partners. The programme is being provided in partnership with Edinburgh Business School, Heriot Watt University, and will be based at their Edinburgh campus. The programme is also supported by the PRCA in Scotland and the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Scotland.

The programme is now calling for applications from BAME graduates from any discipline. It comprises training in all aspects of communications, employability coaching, and training from the course sponsors. Field trips to PR departments in agencies and corporate in-house teams form a key part of the experience.

TBF CEO Sarah Stimson said: “In what is our tenth anniversary year, it is exciting to extend our reach and offer our first programme in Scotland.

“We are immensely grateful to our lead sponsors for making this happen. It shows the Foundation is going from strength to strength.”

Graeme McEwan, Chief Communications Officer at Standard Life Aberdeen, commented: ‘Sponsorship of TBF supports our existing commitment to provide an inclusive workplace that encourages diversity and equality of opportunity. Last year we were named as one of Business in the Community’s Best Employers for Race and we will continue to actively encourage people from all backgrounds to consider a role in our industry.’

Andrew Wilson, one of the Founding Partners of Charlotte Street Partners, said: “We regard difference and diversity as critical to the quality of advice and service we provide our clients. We have admired Taylor Bennett and the Foundation for many years and were keen to commit to this as soon as we were asked. TBF is doing important work promoting diversity in our industry and we are pleased to support them in their work. It is a substantial undertaking for a small firm like ours but we know it will pay back.

“Our entire team looks forward to welcoming the first wave of graduates, offering them invaluable mentoring and sharing our expertise throughout the programme.”

Edinburgh Business School will provide office accommodation and facilities support. 

Executive Dean Professor Heather McGregor, who founded TBF, said: “Developing talent is at the centre of what we do at EBS and it is a natural fit for us to give the TBF programme a home in Edinburgh.”

Trainees receive the UK Real Living Wage throughout the course in order to make the programme as accessible as possible.

Application forms are available at: http://www.taylorbennettfoundation.org/becomeatrainee/

The deadline for applications is 17:00 on Thursday, 17th May.

Applicants who are selected for interview will be required to attend an assessment day at Edinburgh Business School on 30th May 2018, and to participate in the programme from 4th June – 6th July, 2018.

Links

http://www.taylorbennettfoundation.org

https://www.standardlifeaberdeen.com/

http://www.charlottestpartners.co.uk/

https://www.prca.org.uk/

https://www.cipr.co.uk/content/groups/scotland

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