Ethnic minorities are not being offered training

Black and minority ethnic (BME) workers are being denied opportunities for job-related training that help their white colleagues to progress at work, according to new research from the TUC.

Workplace training - a race for opportunity found that 48% of manufacturing employees from BME communities said they had never been offered training, compared with 37% of white employees. And even BME graduates are significantly less likely than their white counterparts to have training opportunities.

Across the economy as a whole, 31% of BME workers have not been offered training, compared with 29% of white workers. The figure rises to 39% among Pakistani employees, and 47% among Bangladeshi staff.

However, the openings to training are much improved for BME workers employed in the public sector and in workplaces with union recognition - an effect attributed to the positive actions taken by unions, and the duties imposed on employers by the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

"Racism at work is still preventing too many black workers from fulfilling their potential," said TUC general secretary Brendan Barber. "The TUC is campaigning to extend Britain's race relations law to make all workplaces respond positively to the training needs of black workers."

Workplace training - a race for opportunity is available from the TUC, price £5 - call 020 7467 1294.