Positive action programmes

Some organisations want to make a change, fast. One way of doing this is to run a Positive Action Programme. Such a programme is legal under section 37 of the Race Relations Act 1976, provided

That the firm in question can prove that a particular ethnic group or groups is under-represented
That the firm is offering genuine training.

The intention behind such programmes is that trainees will then apply for jobs within the firm or industry where they have interned.

Raphael Mokades, Rare’s Managing Director, set up the first such scheme in the publishing industry back in 2004 and has long experience of setting up and managing these programmes. In response to client demand, Rare now helps design positive action programmes and recruits for them.

Here are some examples of our work:

arts and business internship programme

In April 2008 Arts and Business briefed Rare on setting up a programme to help attract people from diverse backgrounds to the Arts sector. Rare worked with A&B to set up an internship programme, helping scope out what tasks interns might do, how they might be managed, and what success criteria might be used to assess their performance. We also considered incentive structure and, crucially, how successful interns might be best connected with full-time work at the end of the programme. Rare has recruited 8 interns for Arts and Business, each of whom is doing a three-month internship with the organisation.

"Working with Rare on our internship programme was a no-brainer. Firstly, I know that we will get candidates of exceptional quality. Secondly, I care passionately about diversity in the arts and am committed to doing what I can to ensure that we reflect that in our work and our workforce. I very much hope that this initiative will set an example that others will follow."

Natalie Melton, Commercial Director, Arts and Business

wpp micro-fellowship

WPP is one of the world’s most comprehensive marketing communications groups.

In 2009, WPP and Rare launched the Micro Fellowship scheme, a whirlwind version of the three year graduate Fellowship offered by WPP, designed to let students from ethnic minority backgrounds experience the worlds of marketing, advertising and communications from a true industry leader.

From the moment the opportunity was launched, the response was overwhelming and the programme has been a huge success.

2009 and 2010 each saw a cohort of nine Micro Fellows spend three weeks in companies including Grey, Ogilvy and Landor, which are all part of the WPP parent group. As well as spending time in their host companies, Micro Fellows also worked in groups on pitches for clients including the Football Association and Unilever.

A number of the Micro Fellows have gone to secure further internships, and full time work, within WPP.

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