Black workers are less likely to get training despite often being better qualified than their white counterparts, according to the Trades Union Congress (TUC).

A new TUC report launched today to coincide with the TUC's annual Black Worker's conference entitled Workplace training - a race for opportunity, reveals that even though job related training is more likely to be offered to qualified workers; qualified black and minority ethnic workers (BME) receive less opportunities.

The report shows that 28% of BMEs are graduates, compared to just 20% of white workers, and while having a degree significantly increases access to job related training, only 17% of white graduates have never been offered training, compared to 20% of black workers.

The report also showed that in the public sector and workplaces with trade union recognition the opportunities for training were better.

Brendan Barber TUC General Secretary, said: 'Racism at work is still preventing too many black workers from fulfilling their potential. We need new legislation that will force all employers to give equal access to training for all workers. The TUC is campaigning to extend Britain's race relations law to make all workplaces respond positively to the training needs of black workers.'

According to the TUC, certain ethnic groups, in particular Pakistani and Bangladeshi employees, face real barriers to training opportunities. Nearly two fifths (39%) of Pakistani employees and nearly half (47%) of Bangladeshi employees have never been offered training. And in the case of Bangladeshi men, this rises to more than half (51%).

The report also found a 'qualification divide' among all workers in being offered training. Only 17% of employees with a degree saying that they have never been offered such training compared to 55% of those employees without any qualifications.