Tyneside Training and Enterprise Council is leading the way with the creation of a new educational video designed to tackle equal opportunities in the workplace head on.
The thought-provoking video, called 'Working Together', aims to help young people prepare for their first experience of the workplace and help break down barriers that can still exist in the work environment.
The 10-minute video, starring young actors from Tyneside, has five short scenes illustrating harassment, bullying and racial, disability and gender discrimination. After each scene the video can be paused to offer the viewers the opportunity to consider possible ways to deal with the situation.
The 'Working Together' video is supported by a comprehensive pack. The pack includes notes and handouts for the tutor and activity sheets to prompt young people to make notes and discuss what they have seen. This helps to make their induction memorable so they learn to identify, understand and deal with inappropriate behaviour in the workplace.
During the making of the video the young actors naturally found themselves debating about the roles they played. Their level of interest demonstrated how the video is a catalyst for discussion and a valuable device to raise young people's awareness of their responsibility towards others and vice versa.
The video is already proving a success with over 300 training providers and businesses across the North East who are using it as a training tool.
Kate Astley, women's officer, at Tyneside TEC said: "When young people first start work they often don't understand the importance of good working relationships. This video helps them discuss different issues openly and learn what is and isn't acceptable in the workplace - and perhaps more importantly how they should handle such a situation if it ever happens to them."
Ms Astley added: "The 'Working Together' video is a self-contained resource, which we believe will play a valuable role in complementing the work that training providers are already doing to raise the standard of equal opportunities awareness."
TECs, training providers, schools, colleges or businesses interested in finding out more about 'Working Together' should contact Kate Astley on 0191 4916000 or e-mail [email protected].
Issued on behalf of Tyneside TEC by Robson Brown PR (contact Joanne Granville or Michelle Atkinson on 0191 232 2443).
