AN EVENT has been staged in Keighley as part of an initiative to boost diversity in the workplace.

Several manufacturing companies from the area – including Gesipa, Acorn Mobility, Teconnex and Fives Landis – were represented.

There were group discussions on how to address ethnic and gender imbalance in many sections of the industry.

The event, hosted by Keighley College, included presentations by organisations which have successfully tackled the issue.

And talks were given by Jeremy Crook – director of the Black Training and Enterprise Group – and Mark Clayton, senior economic development officer at Bradford Council.

The council has successfully bid for Joseph Rowntree Foundation funding to help address the imbalances.

Chris Stott, head of business engagement at the college, said: "The project – a partnership between ourselves and Bradford Council – will work with community groups, schools and employers to convey the opportunities within engineering and manufacturing to under-represented groups.

"The manufacturers present at the event all had issues filling vacancies and were keen to widen the talent pool they draw their staff from by engaging with a more diverse audience."

Anyone interested in being involved in the project should call 01535 615005.