Brightwave partner with Astar to deliver double Diversity solution to Openreach

Date posted: 28 November 2006

Flexible solution looks to the future for Openreach

Brightwave, the workplace learning specialist has partnered with Astar Management Consultants to provide a highly effective and extensive Diversity campaign to Openreach, a BT Group business.

The approach comprises face to face presentation sessions and an interactive e-learning toolkit resource. The campaign will be rolled out early in 2007 to all Openreach employees to ensure a greater understanding of diversity across the organisation. The programme is part of a two year strategy that will address numerous diversity issues looking at the key areas of gender, ethnicity, religion or belief, disability, age and sexual orientation.

"The programme being developed by Brightwave and Astar attempts to offer a flexible approach to our new diversity campaign" said Sonny Taank, Policy Leader, Employee Relations at Openreach. "Quite simply, a diverse workforce makes good business sense and the toolkit will both spread understanding of the issues and help make Openreach an even better place to work."

He added, "The campaign aims to give employees the opportunity to identify ways in which they can advance diversity individually or as part of their wider team. We feel this is the best way to achieve a positive shift in culture change within Openreach."

The CBT Diversity Toolkit being developed by Brightwave comprises Diversity modules, a mandatory assessment and briefing guidelines which will be used by diversity ambassadors and managers to deliver their diversity message. The sessions shall take place at regular intervals to reinforce learning improving learning retention. This will ensure that all employees understand that diversity is at the heart of Openreach’s future success.

"Research into the success of diversity programmes has shown that two of the most important factors are tailoring to the needs of the organisation and maximising credibility." said Lars Hyland, Director of Learning Services for Brightwave. "The branded solution we are developing for Openreach is fully grounded in the current culture of the business. Bespoke solutions play an increasingly important role in workplace learning, as it demonstrates to the employee that they are a valued part of a company."

Notes to Editors – About Brightwave

Brightwave is a specialist in integrating communications, learning and performance in the workplace. Our approach is highly collaborative, innovative and all our projects leverage technology to deliver efficient and effective training and ongoing support. Whether your needs are induction, compliance/regulatory, IT systems, management/sales skills or product/process knowledge, Brightwave has the skills and experience to help you. We have developed over 300 solutions that are used by more than 500,000 people in the UK and internationally. We work with a broad range of clients from a wide variety of industries. Our clients include BT, BUPA, Cable&Wireless, IKEA, T-Mobile, AIB, Swiss Re, The Royal Bank of Scotland, British Red Cross, First Choice and Sky, as well as public sector organisations such as the Environment Agency, City of Edinburgh Council, and West Sussex County Council.

About Astar

Astar Management Consultants Ltd is a lead provider in diversity and equality training and impact assessment. Their extensive theatre and video resource enables them to create workplace simulations to aid learning and enhance user engagement. Clients in the public sector include the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Home Office, and the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. Private sector clients include Philips, Sara Lee and Citigroup. Visit www.astarltd.co.uk to find out more.

About Openreach

Openreach installs, services, supports and maintains the wiring, fibres and connections which link tens of millions of homes and businesses in Britain to their Communications Providers' networks. Openreach was launched on 11 January 2006 and has more than 30,000 employees. Visit www.openreach.co.uk to find out more.

Media contact


Jade Moore
Marketing Coordinator, Brightwave

+44 (0) 1273 828421

Click here to send an email to Jade

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