Publication of Gender Equality Scheme

In line with recent legislation I am pleased to present Banff and Buchan College’s Gender Equality Scheme and Action Plan.  The Gender Equality Duty, introduced through the Equality Act 2006, is a new legal obligation placed on all British public authorities including further education colleges.  It is the biggest change to sex equality legislation for over 30 years and requires such authorities to produce a scheme and plan that takes into account:

• The need to eliminate unlawful sex discrimination and harassment, including transsexual people.
• The need to promote equality of opportunity between women and men.  

Banff and Buchan College welcomes the changes introduced by the 2006 Act Such changes support our objectives to become an inclusive learning provider and employer, one which promotes an educational and working environment where all individuals are treated fairly and can participate fully and equally.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all those who helped in the development of our first Gender Equality Scheme – students, staff and other stakeholders.  Whilst we accept that the College has made in-roads into creating greater equality across various equality streams, we also accept that this initial plan represents only the first of many steps towards greater gender equality within the organisation.  Essentially, the real work starts here.

There is a lot still to do in promoting, developing, implementing and monitoring gender equality within Banff and Buchan College.  Our Gender Equality Action Plan sets out the primary steps we will be taking in the next three years in order to move forward and make a real difference to our students and staff, both existing and potential.  The Gender Equality Scheme is not a static document and will be routinely reviewed as part of Banff and Buchan College’s commitment to the elimination of discrimination and harassment on the grounds of sex and the promotion of equality of opportunity between men and women. 

Finally, we believe that this, our first Gender Equality Scheme, will provide us all at the College with an opportunity to make a positive and proactive difference to the lives of women and men who rely on this organisation for learning and employment.    

 
Robert Sinclair
Principal

28th June 2007