Inclusivity win for LCL Awards

LCL Awards won Training Initiative of the Year at the 2022 HVR Awards for its Inclusivity Charter. The voted-for category saw the awarding organisation win for its initiative, which encourages approved centres to promote respectful behaviour and flexible course delivery so that more people can access training.

The Inclusivity Charter was launched in April, in response to the lack of women and other under-represented groups in building services engineering. It was developed with Hattie Hasan MBE, founder of all-female plumbing business Stopcocks Women Plumbers.

Centres that sign up to the charter must first review where they are in terms of inclusivity, from not tolerating offensive language, to developing courses that can be delivered online, in the evening or at weekends to suit the needs of parents – as well as for those who need to fit training in around their day job.

The Inclusivity Charter Checklist forms part of LCL Awards’ auditing process, which its accredited centres must complete every year.

Director Mark Krull says: “The Inclusivity Charter is a really important initiative that aims to help more people access training in the building services sector by breaking down barriers, prejudices and also logistical challenges.

“Overall, the BSE sector is experiencing a skills shortage. We need more people if we are going to meet the demand presented by a low-carbon future. Varied viewpoints and life experiences will also progress our industry for the better.”