Are universities growing black talent? Marleen Potgieter – Equity Works

Our Team Equity Works was established 13 years ago by Natalie Dagnall -we have assisted clients with Employment Equity since inception. Natalie is now in London and helps keep us up-to-date with international best practice EW is now run by Marleen Potgieter, a commercial lawyer of 14 years’ experience, previously a director of Mallinicks Attorneys. Marleen wrote the regulations to the Employment Equity Act. Association with other consultants, professionals and trainers What Equity Works does.

Transformation in the workplace What we have witnessed in the last 13 years, living the transformation in the workplace Key issues identified

Black Talent – Precis of observations Initially, black people filled support functions, like HR and jobs in the social services Few black people in hard decision – making posts and in finance/engineering/construction/mining sector This has changed – does that result in a higher uptake? Proactive career management What defines talent? How growth of black people is curtailed in organisations Entry barriers for black people Organisational culture and socialisation Retention factors Hitting the ground running

AA MEASURES (Regulations ) Recruitment - Unbiased selection criteria, selection panels and targeted advertising. - Community investment and bridging programs increase pool of potential candidates Training & development - Learnership & internship - Mentoring, coaching, accelerated promotion and succession - Promoting diversity and monitoring skills training.

AA MEASURES cont. Retention strategies - diverse organisational culture - interactive communication - ongoing labour turnover analysis Reasonable accommodation - enabling environment for disabled workers and workers with family responsibility - modifications and flexible working hours Diversity Culture