FIR Ambassador Information Pack January 2018 This project

FIR Ambassador Information Pack January 2018 This project has been delivered with support from the CITB Structured Fund, which aims to ensure that the construction industry has the right people, with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time and is equipped to meet the future skills demands of the industry.

Contents Page In this pack you will find information on the following: 1. The role of a FIR Ambassador 2. Business benefits of having FIR Ambassadors 3. Who can become a FIR Ambassador 4. What is expected of a FIR Ambassador 5. How to become a FIR Ambassador 6. The free training required to become a FIR Ambassador 7. FIR Ambassador training events 8. The free resources available to FIR Ambassadors 9. Testimonials: making an impact 10. FAQs This project has been delivered with support from the CITB Structured Fund, which aims to ensure that the construction industry has the right people, with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time and is equipped to meet the future skills demands of the industry.

The Role of A FIR Ambassador • A FIR Ambassador promotes a culture of Fairness, Inclusion and Respect within the organisation in which they work. • A FIR Ambassador is expected to act as a role model for Fairness, Inclusion and Respect in their offices, sites or projects. • This means embodying the principles of FIR to work collaboratively whilst stepping in to take action, challenge behaviour, and positively impact workplace culture. This project has been delivered with support from the CITB Structured Fund, which aims to ensure that the construction industry has the right people, with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time and is equipped to meet the future skills demands of the industry.

Business Benefits of Having FIR Ambassadors Having a FIR Ambassador will help businesses: • Demonstrate a commitment to FIR principles to clients and stakeholders • Raise the company’s profile within the FIR Network • Benefit from shared intelligence on FIR related topics • Upskill staff to help them contribute to: üReviewing company policies and processes relating to FIR üDeveloping in-house resources relating to FIR üProviding in-house training on FIR This project has been delivered with support from the CITB Structured Fund, which aims to ensure that the construction industry has the right people, with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time and is equipped to meet the future skills demands of the industry.

Who Can Become a FIR Ambassador? • FIR Ambassadors can be employed at any level of the organisation. • They should have the explicit support of more senior management, be influential in their team or business, and be able to maintain positive relationships based on respect. This project has been delivered with support from the CITB Structured Fund, which aims to ensure that the construction industry has the right people, with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time and is equipped to meet the future skills demands of the industry.

What is Expected of a FIR Ambassador? FIR Ambassadors are encouraged to: 1. Recognise, and promote to others, that FIR is key to business success and performance. 2. Make every effort to regularly communicate the benefits of FIR, for example, through promoting 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. business successes or examples of good practice. Help to create an open, positive and inclusive work environment. Support compliance with current legislation (e. g. Equality Act 2010). Understand the barriers that prevent people from being able to give of their best in the workplace, and speak out to overcome them. Be a focal point for a part of the business (e. g. a project or office) in relation to FIR. Sign-post colleagues who are in need of advice e. g. when experiencing unfairness, discrimination, bullying or harassment. Engage with managers, programme or project leads to support culture change and progress FIR in specific offices or projects. Be a soundboard for challenging unfairness and promoting FIR in the workplace. Treat all others with dignity and respect, for example by being considerate, fair, polite and not making assumptions based on age, gender or background. Develop own personal capability around FIR. Network with other FIR Ambassadors and relevant people from within the business (e. g. equality representatives, staff network members) to provide mutual support groups. Help others to become FIR Ambassadors where there is desire and will. This project has been delivered with support from the CITB Structured Fund, which aims to ensure that the construction industry has the right people, with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time and is equipped to meet the future skills demands of the industry.

How to become a FIR Ambassador Anyone wishing to become a FIR Ambassador should: • Obtain buy-in from their organisation, ideally someone in a leadership role who has the ability to change attitudes, challenge behaviours and influence company policy. • Complete at least one of the two e-learning programmes üAchieving business success through FIR üFairness, Inclusion and Respect on site • or attend an Introduction to FIR workshop by booking onto an upcoming Introduction to FIR Event • attend a FIR Ambassador Engagement Event to receive more specialist free Ambassador training by booking here This project has been delivered with support from the CITB Structured Fund, which aims to ensure that the construction industry has the right people, with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time and is equipped to meet the future skills demands of the industry.

The Free Training Required to Become a FIR Ambassador 1 2 3 • Attend Introduction to FIR workshop • Complete E-Learning on Achieving Business Success through FIR • Attend a Ambassador Engagement workshop • Become a CPD certified Ambassador • Attend quarterly Ambassador Network Coaching sessions • Maintain regular engagement with the FIR Ambassador Programme • Encourage colleagues to become FIR Ambassadors Optional 4 • Become an specialist FIR trainer • Deliver Introduction to FIR workshops This project has been delivered with support from the CITB Structured Fund, which aims to ensure that the construction industry has the right people, with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time and is equipped to meet the future skills demands of the industry.

FIR Ambassador Training Events Engagement Workshops Coaching Workshops • Meet people from other businesses who have become – or are considering becoming – FIR Ambassadors • Gain a CPD Accredited workshop- to add to your professional profile • Collaborate with different business to progress the FIR agenda • Discuss the barriers to FIR and how they can be overcome • Produce your own action plan • Get a first look at cutting edge industry research and ideas in relation to FIR – most of which is not yet in the public domain • Develop stronger relationships with fellow FIR Ambassadors • Share workplace FIR challenges and opportunities - and how to address them • Learn more about specific “protected characteristics” and supporting them in the workplace • Contribute to the development of FIR materials the programme’s growing body of learning • Discuss FIR related current affairs, industry themes and research This project has been delivered with support from the CITB Structured Fund, which aims to ensure that the construction industry has the right people, with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time and is equipped to meet the future skills demands of the industry.

The Free Resources Available to FIR Ambassadors can take advantage of: • FIR Ambassador group coaching events • Opportunities to collaborate across the industry • FIRry Friday emails • Invitation only Linked. In group • Industry learning and materials • A hub of shared experiences and good practice • Feature on our website as a FIR Ambassador • The opportunity to become an fully supported FIR trainer This project has been delivered with support from the CITB Structured Fund, which aims to ensure that the construction industry has the right people, with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time and is equipped to meet the future skills demands of the industry.

Testimonials: Making An Impact • ‘Being the FIR champion within Jackson Civils has been an interesting journey for me so far. We have put together a short video explaining what FIR is and what it means to us. In addition, we are currently providing more resources to upskill our staff. Personally, it has made me understand more about my own behaviour as I promote FIR and allowed me to take a step back to understand the wider effect of FIR on all of our staff. ’ - FIR Ambassador, Jackson Civils • ‘My role as a FIR Ambassador has provided me with an opportunity to lead positive change in this area. Through engaging with other FIR Ambassadors and sharing best practice across organisations, I have been able to use this knowledge to to help review equality, diversity and inclusion aspirations and identify opportunities to collaborate with one of our key customers. ’ - FIR Ambassador, Costain This project has been delivered with support from the CITB Structured Fund, which aims to ensure that the construction industry has the right people, with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time and is equipped to meet the future skills demands of the industry.

FAQs Where can I find the FIR resources? • You can find the Free FIR Toolkit here https: //www. supplychainschool. co. uk/default/fairness-inclusion-andrespect/fir-toolkit. aspx Who is my main point contact? • For all queries on the FIR Programme please contact Tolu@supplychainschool. co. uk How do I get an event scheduled for my organisation? • To organise an Introduction to FIR or Ambassador Engagement Network event, please email Tolu@supplychainschool. co. uk I have colleagues that wants to become a FIR Ambassador? • Please share this pack with them and introduce them to Tolu@supplychainschool. co. uk This project has been delivered with support from the CITB Structured Fund, which aims to ensure that the construction industry has the right people, with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time and is equipped to meet the future skills demands of the industry.