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Baroness Scotland celebrates students' success at National Mentoring Consortium Award Ceremony 2008

Friday 9 May 2008

The Rt. Hon Baroness Scotland of Asthal QC, Attorney General for England & Wales, delivered a keynote speech as the National Mentoring Consortium (NMC) celebrated its 14th Annual Award Ceremony at Lehman Brothers European Headquarters in Canary Wharf on Tuesday 6th May.

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, joined Baroness Scotland in praising the work of the NMC.

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. 

Baroness Scotland said: “Mentoring and being a mentor is one of the most worthwhile and exciting things that can happen to anyone. Having people to believe in you, walk with you and encourage you is an absolutely vital part of life.

"All of us need the affirmation of others, and all of us can all touch people’s lives in ways we can’t even imagine. I applaud the NMC for helping ensure that, right here and right now in our country, we are enabling our children to fulfil their potential and become the very best they can be.”

Students from universities across the UK attended the event alongside leading representatives from business, law, government, media, and academia.

Addressing the assembled mentors and mentees, David Blunkett said: “I’d like to congratulate everyone here. A lot of this is about confidence and giving people the wherewithal to draw on their own inner strength. I actually think that mentoring should be a key part of the intitiation process for new MPs and government ministers – not forgetting new mayors of London!”

Jermaine St Rose (32), of Goodmayes, took the award for Mentee of the Year at the University of East London (UEL), where the NMC was founded in 1994.

Jermaine, a student on UEL’s LLB (Hons) degree in Law, said: “I was immediately attracted to the NMC programme because I saw it as a great way to enhance my learning and develop new skills. My mentor, Marianna Bailey of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, really helped me to improve my interview, presentation and time-management skills.

“Winning this award was a total surprise, but Marianna and I worked really hard on the programme and it’s great that I’ve already achieved something special. I feel so much more confident in myself and my abilities, and I’d definitely recommend the programme to others.”

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 are experienced 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 has worked with over 500 employers and 40 universities. 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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