 The Network for Black Managers (NBM) was set up in 1998. Its purpose is to address the under-representation of Black staff in the FE sector, particularly the small numbers of managers, senior staff and principals.
The Network is the recognised sector champion for race equality in the learning and skills sector. Its work has been recognised in the 2006 FE White Paper ‘Further Education: Raising Skills and Improving Life Chances’.
‘Building on the good work of the Network of Black Managers and the Centre for Excellence in Leadership in relation to race equality, the quality strategy will be centred on a powerful commitment to equality and diversity’ (p.8 para 28)
The Foster review of the future of Further Education ‘Realising the Potential: a Review of the Future Role of Further Education Colleges’ (2005) noted that
‘Progress is being made through initiatives such as the Network for Black Managers (NBM) to influence policy makers and leaders in the system but more needs to be done to better reflect the population in which colleges are operating. Workforce training, such as that developed through the Black Leadership Initiative needs to become more widespread’ (p.22 para 80)
It went on to recommend that ‘The Centre for Excellence in Leadership (CEL) and other partners should
expedite and augment the Black Leadership Initiative and the outstanding recommendations of the Commission for Black Staff in FE’ (p.22 para 80)
The Network has recently changed its name to the Network for Black Professionals (NBP) in order to reflect the wider focus of its work. In November 2006, the Network took responsibility for the management of the Black Leadership Initiative (BLI), which has pioneered the development of a progressive approach to the career development of BME staff working in the learning and skills sector through mentoring, work shadowing and secondments.
In 1998, there were only two Black principals – Wally Brown and Ahmed Choonara (0.2% of the sector) - and the pool of seniors and middle managers that might comprise the principals of the future was shrinking. At present there are still only 7 principals of colleges –
less that 2% of the total – and the numbers of other senior managers remains small. This contrasts with the number of Black learners in the sector – more than 14% of students in FE colleges are from Black and minority ethnic communities (LSC ISR data 2000-01).
The Network exists to raise awareness of race equality issues in the learning and skills sector and seeks, through its activities, to develop and support measures that raise the numbers of Black staff at all levels in the sector, and positively influence the experience of
all learners.
The Network is a membership organisation and over 100 colleges and other bodies in the learning and skills sector are currently affiliated. This represents an individual
membership of over 800 black and minority ethnic tutors and managers working in the sector. The Network maintains significant channels of communication with its membership through its newsletters, mailing list, vacancy service, website and regional network groups.
Since its inception, the NBP has taken the route of constructive engagement, seeking to work as a critical friend of the colleges sector and agencies associated with the delivery of learning and skills.
The Network has concluded Memorandums of Understanding with a number of organisations including the Association of Colleges (AoC), the Centre for Excellence in Leadership (CEL), the Association of College Managers (ACM), Lambeth College, Ufi/Learndirect and Building Services Engineering Ltd (BEST). These represent positive relationships and further develop the awareness of colleges and other agencies of their responsibility to take a leadership role in delivering the race equality policies and practice that reflect the wealth of diversity in
the country.
The NBP has worked in partnership with the Learning & Skills Council, the Department for Education and Skills and a whole range of other agencies, including both OFSTED
and ALI.
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.JPG&width=75&height=75 "Network honours leaders in Race Equality")
