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Baroness Scotland to open National Mentoring Consortium Award Ceremony 2008

Wednesday 30 April 2008

The Rt. Hon Baroness Scotland of Asthal QC, Attorney General for England & Wales, Rt Hon David Blunkett MP, Susan Scott-Parker OBE, Chief Executive of the Employers Forum on Disability, and Khristian Gibson, of Global & Commercial Banking at Barclays, will be among an impressive line-up of speakers when the National Mentoring Consortium's (NMC) 14th Annual Award Ceremony takes place in London on Tuesday 6th May. 

Students from universities across the UK will join leading representatives from business, law, government, media, and academia at Lehman Brothers European Headquarters in Canary Wharf for the NMC awards ceremony.

The National Mentoring Consortium provides support and encouragement to ethnic minority and disabled/dyslexic students interested in careers in government, law, business and related fields by arranging one-to-one mentoring relationships with executives in business and public sector organisations.

Joseph Greenland, Director of the NMC, said: “Mentoring is increasingly recognised as a cost-effective training tool, not only to promote equality and diversity, but also to foster genuine talent. Our mentoring programmes provide students with valuable networking contacts, as well as opportunities to develop their skills and focus on their future careers. 

"By 2020, it's projected that over 50% of London’s working population will be from ethnic minority backgrounds. We are delighted to be working with partners in industry, finance, public and voluntary sectors. Our mentors come from professionals from a wide range of organisations that recognise the importance of equality of opportunity in the graduate employment market.”

Almost one in five people of working age in Great Britain are disabled, and the vast majority (70%) say their impairments do not affect their ability to compete in the job market. Research shows that disabled people are loyal and reliable employees, and that smart businesses recognise and value the talents they offer.

Founded in 1994 and based at the University of East London, the National Mentoring Consortium now works with over 250 universities and employers. For further information, visit www.uel.ac.uk/nmc

For details and pictures contact Daniel Cherry: 020 8223 2194

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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