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Clegg praises ICAEW over accountancy entry policy
Accountancy News |
16/01/2012
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has been praised for welcoming people from all backgrounds into the profession.
Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, praised the organisation for signing up to the Business Compact, his flagship scheme to create fairer opportunities to getting the best jobs.
He described the initiative as an "important step" towards a society where it is what you know, not who you know, that counts.
"Working with the coalition, the biggest hitters in Britain's business world are helping lead the way to a fairer, more open society," Mr Clegg stated.
"By opening their doors to young people from all walks of life, this marks the start of a culture shift at the heart of British business, driven by the belief that ability and drive should trump connections and privilege."
More than 100 businesses and organisations have now signed up for the Business Compact, committing them to making entry into their professions fairer.
The commitment forms a key part of the Deputy Prime Minister's Social Mobility Strategy, launched in April 2011, which sets out the government's determination to ensure every individual is free to achieve, regardless of the circumstances of their birth.
Businesses signing up to it must agree to support communities and schools through reading and mentoring schemes, or encouraging staff to engage with pupils.
They must also advertise their work experience places through schools, online and in other public forums, with access to internships open and transparent.
Employers are required to pay interns the National Minimum Wage where they are legally entitled to it, and provide financial support to ensure fair access to work experience placements.
Finally, they are required to hire fairly and without discrimination, ensuring their recruitment processes do not allow candidates to be inadvertently 'screened out'.
Michael Izza, chief executive officer at ICAEW said the body is committed to supporting social mobility as it encourages the diversification of talent and innovation within the accountancy profession.
"Encouraging students from any background has always been one of the strengths of our profession," he stated.
"Talent, ability and drive matter most and many in our profession came from relatively modest backgrounds but with hard work and determination rose to the very top."
Posted by Stephen Wilkinson
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