Home » Knowledge Hub » Talent Acquisition » BAME students apply for 45% more jobs than their white counterparts
BAME students apply for 45% more jobs than their white counterparts
16 April 2021 Talent Acquisition
A new report has shown that UK black and ethnic minority students appled for 45% more jobs than their white counterparts last year.
Debut’s 2020 Report study, which is based on internal data, found that black and black British students applied for 38% more jobs than white students and that Asian and British Asian students alongside other ethnic groups also applying at a much higher rate.
Kim Connor Streich from Debut said: “There are likely to be a number of current and historical factors in play here. The pandemic has seen people from different black, Asian, and minority ethnic communities hit the hardest, and with that will come to worry and a desire to firm up future prospects.
“Couple this with a potential feeling that you need to be proactive and apply for more jobs to tackle bias and you can see why many may be applying for more jobs.”
The Debut data shows that Asian or British Asian students applied for 26% more jobs than white students, while other ethnic groups applied to 21% more.
While figures have been fairly consistent from year to year, there’s been a closing of the gap of sorts when it comes to black or black British males vs white males.
In 2020 they applied for 40% more jobs, while black or black British females apply for 39% more jobs than white females.
Connor Streich said: “Black, Asian, and minority ethnic groups, while often referred to as one entity are, in reality, a number of vibrant groups with their own societal pressures and driving forces.
“Many from these different groups may simply be using a proactive approach to tackle bias, both conscious and unconscious. They may also come from families with a lot of pressure from their parents to succeed, giving them a strong work ethic.
“Alternatively, they may find that opportunities which fall into the laps of their white counterparts just aren’t coming their way, so they’re having to apply for far more jobs before they get the roles they desire.”