Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the core of the ACT

Go back 02 March 2023
global diversity and multi-cultural concept

The ACT is one of many professional membership bodies and awarding organisations that are part of the Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB).

 

Being part of FAB allows us to ensure we deliver our qualifications and assessments to the highest standards, and make sure that these standards align with best practice and regulation. Being part of a community, as our members know well, allows us to share thoughts and best practice around qualifications and assessments with our networks.    

In line with the ACT’s own policy on diversity and inclusion, FAB has recently developed an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Action Plan. The plan sets out three key principles that will drive the reform efforts, and provides a series of commitments and deliverables for which all FAB members who sign the pledge will be accountable.

The three principles that inform this Action Plan are:

  • leading the awarding and assessment sector with accountability to improve equity, diversity and inclusion in the education and skills system
  • building a diverse and inclusive awarding and assessment workforce
  • championing equity, diversity and inclusion in our educational outputs.

Their (and our) vision is one of a progressive and inclusive sector that reflects the diversity of learners and society, achieved by supporting and encouraging more diversity, equity and inclusion in the workforce; to take action and champion equity, diversity and inclusion in everything we do and to encourage inclusive and anti-discriminatory behaviours, outputs and practices.

By signing this pledge, the ACT commits to the following statements:

  • to be fully committed to the fundamental principles of ensuring equity and inclusivity for all learners, stakeholders and colleagues across the education and skills system
  • to actively push for a systemic shift in the proportion of people from diverse backgrounds who work in, and engage with, vocational and technical education
  • to ensure that accessibility, equity, inclusion and diversity are central considerations in the design of all assessments and qualifications. Review mechanisms will include a strong focus on equity, diversity and inclusion
  • to refine delivery mechanisms and policies to make them equitable and inclusive; and we will support others at all our touch points to do the same
  • to listen to feedback and evidence on our educational outputs and act swiftly upon it to address any concerns related to equity, diversity and inclusion
  • to educate ourselves on all forms of discrimination and racism and ensure that our working practices and outputs incorporate this learning
  • to develop a roadmap to map our EDI journey, provide accountability, and demonstrating our commitment to change.

At the ACT, over the last eight years with the development of our treasury and cash management qualifications and assessments, we have already worked hard to ensure the content of our materials and assessments is gender-neutral, accessible to English and non-first language English speakers, globally accessible and inclusive of other cultures. By signing up to this pledge we are committed to doing more and ensuring that accessibility, equity, inclusion and diversity are central considerations in the design of all our assessments and qualifications.

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