Age Diversity Group at BEIS

The Age Diversity Group covers a wide range of issues across the whole age spectrum. It works with several groups across the department to provide advice and support to the Permanent Secretary, senior managers and all who are employed by the Department on age-related concerns.

What does the group do?

• Monitors the Department’s performance against the Equality Act 2010 in respect of both its internal and external facing activities, and makes recommendations for the group and others to deliver projects that responds to priority issues:
• Contributes age strategy and leadership on age-related priority issues to delivering BEIS’s Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, its related policies, guidance, practices, learning and development.
• Raises awareness and stimulating debate of the ongoing needs and priorities from staff of all ages, including apprentices and interns.
• Delivers solutions, such as unconscious bias training, promoting role models, and inviting inspirational speakers in order to create a positive culture on what positive steps and systems can counter age bias
• Provides a forum for the exchange of information and sharing best practices that and celebrates the benefits of a diverse workforce for all
• Provides a network support mechanism for staff with age-related concerns and linking to similar age diversity groups in other departments

The Age Diversity Group welcomes people of all ages and in any location. They are keen to hear different perspectives on the working of BEIS, experiences of working elsewhere, contribute practical solutions and turn them into actions that improve our working environments.

The group meets every three months. It also provides a telephone link so that anyone who cannot attend these meetings in person can join in.