ATTRACTING A MOE DIVERSE WORKFORCE: RICS BIG DEBATE? 

RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) has unveiled the results of their recent project, linking up the educational charity – Debate Mate. Together they sponsored debating competitions up and down the UK – with an aim to reach 3000 diverse students from 150 schools.

After witnessing over 120 of top young debaters from schools all over the UK, Sydenham School for Girls and The Bridge Academy made it to the Grand Final. Their debate centred around issues of people skills vs. academic skills. The Bridge Academy were excellent and well deserving winners.

This project was in line with RICS key objective to increase diversity within the profession. For example:

• 40% of students who participate in Debate Mare, receive free school meals.
• 11% are on the Special Educational Needs register
• 37% do not cite English as a first language
• 40% will now choose a career in surveying as a result of the partnership

The students of Debate Mate were also inspired by several young or recently graduated surveyors working for outfits such as Arcadis, Faithful+Gould, Savills and GVA. Several of the firms involved offered work placements to Debate Mate students/

RICS will continue to look at ways in which to diversify the surveying and built-environment workforces, but partnerships such as the Debate Mate initiative have already proved incredibly beneficial.

For more information, or to get involved with diversifying surveying – check out: http://www.rics.org/uk/news/news-insight/comment/the-big-debate-how-to-attract-more-diverse-workforce/