Compass signs up to Deputy Prime Minister’s ‘Business Compact’ scheme

Deputy leader Nick Clegg has congratulated the catering and FM company, which is among a number of major employers pledging to "open their doors to young people from all walks of life". Ian Sarson, group managing director of Compass Group UK & Ireland, said: "People are at the very heart of our business and we are dedicated to providing opportunities to people from all walks of life and equipping our employees with the skills and training they need to progress within this dynamic industry. "We also want to encourage and inspire the future generation which is why we work with schools and colleges to run a Junior Chefs' Academy, introducing young people to the opportunities that a career in catering presents. "Last year over 1,600 people achieved an apprenticeship within Compass and we have a range of development programmes matched to nationally recognised qualifications which enable people to grow and evolve within our business, providing them with real opportunities and a career for life. "The catering and support services industry offers hugely diverse, fantastic career opportunities. We are always looking for enthusiastic young people that have a passion for providing great service and welcome the new ideas and innovations that they can bring. "This Business Compact is focused on creating these opportunities and opening doors for all young people from all backgrounds and we are fully committed to this scheme." Speaking about this new scheme yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: "This is an important step towards a society where it's what you know, not who you know, that counts. "Working with the Coalition, the biggest hitters in Britain's business world are helping lead the way to a fairer, more open society. "By opening their doors to young people from all walks of life, this marks the start of a culture shift at the heart of British business, driven by the belief that ability and drive should trump connections and privilege. "I'd like to thank Compass for signing up to the Business Compact. Today's success makes me even more ambitious. This great news is just the beginning – I will be doing everything I can to bring even more businesses on board." More than 100 of Britain's biggest companies and top professional groups have signed the Business Compact, committing them to making entry into their professions fairer. The Business Compact forms a key part of the Deputy Prime Minister's Social Mobility Strategy, launched in April 2011, which sets out the Government's determination to ensure every individual is free to achieve, regardless of the circumstances of their birth. Businesses which sign up to it must agree to: * Support communities and schools through reading and mentoring schemes or encouraging their staff go out to schools and inspire pupils about their careers * Open opportunities to all young people by advertising their work experience places through schools, online and in other public forums * Make access to internships open and transparent, paying interns the National Minimum Wage where they are legally entitled to it and providing financial support to ensure fair access, such as providing expenses and/or accommodation to those from less advantaged backgrounds to ensure they are not prevented from accessing opportunities by their financial circumstances * Recruit fairly and without discrimination, ensuring that their recruitment processes don't allow candidates to be inadvertently screened out because they went to the wrong school or come from a different ethnic group (including through using name-blank and school-blank applications where appropriate).