Gateway to the Professions

QED-UK is a member of the Gateways to Professions Equality & Diversity Group based at the Department for Innovation Universities and Skills (DIUS) and received funding to carry out some qualitative research into the experiences of minority ethnic communities in training and working in the professions with a view to developing understanding of those experiences.

The project stems from 'Gateways to the Professions' — a report by Sir Alan Langlands that DfES commissioned in 2005. The Report made recommendations to Ministers on the actions required to make progression pathways clear and transparent for people wishing to pursue a professional career.



Through a series of workshop or focus group sessions run by QED-UK in seven cities across England and Wales, beginning with Bradford in December 2006 as a pilot, the project aimed to:

• Provide insights into the experiences of ethnic minorities in progressing their careers.
  
  
• Isolate experiences and patterns in this field specific to ethnic minorities.
  
  
• Understand how procedures of Professional Bodies impact on ethnic minorities.
  
  
• Develop methods for Professional Bodies to become more meritocratic.
  
  
• Provide feedback to Professional Bodies on the issues identified in the study.
  
  

The final report has now been prepared and may be downloaded as a PDF by clicking here. It is being made available to DIUS and the Professional Associations Research Network (PARN) and Equally Professional.

For more information contact Adeeba Malik MBE (QED's Deputy Chief Executive) at Quest House, 243 Manningham Lane, Bradford BD8 7ER. Telephone: 01274 483267,email a.malik@qed-uk.org.