Social mobility in the workplace

We’re FDM, an award-winning global business and technology consultancy. For over 30 years we’ve been powering the people behind tech and innovation. We collaborate with world-leading companies to identify the expertise they need, exactly when they need it.  We have helped successfully launch nearly 25,000 careers globally and are a trusted partner to over 300 companies worldwide. 

Introduction

Everyone deserves the opportunity to pursue a career in tech, no matter their background. As the industry continues to evolve, so does our need to create opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds. While social mobility in the tech sector remains a challenge on several fronts, bridging the social mobility gap presents a big opportunity, especially considering the growing digital skills gap. In our latest edition of 'fast4ward in tech' we explore this topic in more detail.

🥁 Here’s what to expect:

1.             What is social mobility?

2.            What is the Social Mobility Index?

3.            Our Social Mobility Index ranking and how we’ve contributed

4.           An employer’s guide to social mobility

5.            The gender pay gap

What is social mobility?

Social mobility refers to the ability of an individual or a family to move up or down the social and economic ladder within a society or between generations. It is a measure of the extent to which people can improve or worsen their social and economic status in comparison to their parents or previous generations.

What is the Social Mobility Index?

The Social Mobility Employer Index is a joint venture between the The Social Mobility Foundation and Social Mobility Commission in partnership with the City of London Corporation. Britain’s employers are ranked on their actions to ensure access for and progression of talent from all backgrounds. Aiming to showcase which industries and companies are taking social mobility most seriously and encourage companies to share their initiatives, the index is decided by a panel of experts and all submissions receive a report highlighting areas of improvement.

How we’re contributing to social mobility

FDM has been included in the Social Mobility Index for the 6th consecutive year. If you want to know how we’ve contributed to social mobility at FDM on a consistent basis, you can find out more here.

FDM CEO Rod Flavell talked to @TechSkills.org about creating opportunities in the IT Industry in their latest issue of the Tech Skills Journal. Check it out here.

An employer’s guide to social mobility

Employers play a huge role in facilitating social mobility. It is influenced by many factors such as education, government policy and economic climate, however organisations can do their bit to contribute to social mobility. Here are 10 ways businesses can improve social mobility in the workplace:

1. Implement inclusive hiring practices
2. Provide equal access to training
3. Promote a culture of inclusion, company-wide
4. Offer flexible working arrangements
5. Click here to discover the additional six points.

The gender pay gap

This year we published our gender pay gap report for the seventh year since mandatory reporting was introduced in the UK in 2017. From our Returners Programme with a 66% majority female intake, to our all-female bootcamps, we are continually working towards bringing more women into tech and closing the gender pay gap in the sector. How do we do it?

• Creating net new talent
• Staff retention
• Advancing career progression

Read our 2024 gender pay gap report

Social mobility and gender inequality are inversely related, with high gender inequality linked to low social mobility. Professional women from working-class backgrounds face a double disadvantage, with a £7,042 gap between them and women from professional managerial origins in the same job. In tech, the gender pay gap is 16% in favour of men, higher than the national average and all other industries. Known to be a hinderance of women’s career progression, the motherhood penalty with recent data revealing that mothers are earning only 72% of fathers' hourly wages. For organisations looking to support their female employees, flexible working policies could help balance career and childcare responsibilities, reducing the need to leave a career behind for family obligations.

You can read the full article here.

🔗 You might also be interested in:

• Improving social mobility with FDM’s Apprenticeship Programme.
• A spotlight on our inspiring returners. Read two amazing stories of two individuals that had very different career breaks but are now thriving at FDM.
• Overcoming talent shortage in AI. How can businesses leverage the full potential of AI?
• FDM and the Department for Education set a roadmap for the future of apprenticeships.

🌟 What’s been happening at FDM:

🌍EMEA:

• Calvin Pillay, FDM Consultant took on a monumental challenge after him and his team tackled an SAS route in the Welsh mountains, consisting of gruelling terrain and unforgiving weather conditions. You can find out more about Calvin’s challenge and just how much was raised here.
• We recently partnered with UiPath , an enterprise automation and AI software company to support one another in creating the next generation of automation and AI experts. You can learn more about the partnership here.

🌏 APAC:

• Register now for our virtual webinar: “From grad to business consultant. Get inspired, get hired!” This is ideal for candidates looking to break into Hong Kong’s competitive market. Sign up here.
• Our Future leaders Programme launched in Australia, guided by our Skills Lab Coach Ifftekar Ahmed . Find out more about the programme.

🌎 North America:

• Nerves are a natural part of the interview process, but don’t worry, our recruitment team in North America have shared their top tips on how to stay calm under pressure. Read more here.  
• Looking to land a career in tech? Join our upcoming webinar on November 7 to transform your career aspirations into real-world success. Offering guidance and inspiration, this event will help kickstart your work journey. Sign up here.

Book a discovery session to find out how you can build a workforce of diverse, talented people. Book now