#TippingTheBalance: How a new digital platform will tackle the barriers to equal job opportunities

By Isaac Atwal

We at TipStart believe that everyone should be able to pursue the career of their choice. We also believe that we all share a responsibility to do what we can to make the world a fairer place. That is why we have created a new digital platform to challenge the power of privilege in employment by matching experienced professionals with those who cannot rely on their existing networks or background to break into historically privileged professions.

Who you know or your family background shouldn’t determine whether you’re able to pursue the career you want. Nor should personal circumstances such as race, gender, sexuality or anything else for that matter, prevent anyone reaching their full potential.

However, we know that these qualities and characteristics - that none of us can control - continue to exert an unfair influence on equality of opportunity in our labour market. The end result is that those who come from a privileged background are more likely to work in the top professions, whereas those from non-privileged backgrounds - regardless of their talent - find it harder to break in. It is no surprise that a majority of people say that they have experienced nepotism in the workplace.

The statistics speak for themselves. The Social Mobility Commission found that almost half of people in the UK believe that where you end up in life is largely determined by your background. The same study found that half of middle class people said that their upbringing gave them an advantage in their education, compared to just over a fifth of working class people. 

In the public sector, which includes the Civil Service, only 20% of senior managers come from a non-privileged background. Only 6% are from an ethnic minority background. Less than 20% of national newspaper columnists, management consultants and finance professionals come from a non-privileged background. 

There are two kinds of people in the TipStart community — TipSters and TipStarters. TipSters are professionals currently working in our five target sectors: law, finance, government & policy, consulting and journalism. TipStarters are people who want to work in those sectors but may face barriers in the pursuit of their ambition, perhaps as a result of their background, and would benefit from the TipSters expertise.

So how are we going to change this? Once we match a TipSter with a TipStarter using our registration questionnaire they embark on the TipStart Programme together. TipSters are invited to share tips, contacts and insights about the sector that they work in. TipStarters are encouraged to share their experience of breaking into the career of their choice, giving TipSters a new perspective on the openness and perceived or actual prejudices of their sectors, making them better colleagues and leaders for the future.

We are keen that this isn’t referred to as ‘mentoring’. Both the TipStarter and the TipSter, as well as the sectors they work in, will gain from the TipStart Programme. Relationships and networks that would not have otherwise have started or expanded will be richer and wider. TipStarters will gain invaluable knowledge, insight and contacts in the pursuit of their dream career. TipSters will be right at the heart of the drive to change their industries for the better, and all for around two hours of their time per month. 

If you think you’d make a great TipSter and want to help #tipthebalance, you can sign up here in 5 minutes. TipStart is currently in its soft launch phase, and once we have signed up enough TipSters and TipStarters we hope to be matching TipSters with TipStarters later this year. If you or your organisation would like to partner with TipStart then you can let us know what you have in mind here.