The Raf Is Not Shy About Its Diversity Aims Says Its Head Of Recruitment Royal Air Force

Air Chief Marshal Maria Byford said she had “slowed down” the recruitment process for all applicants after evidence showed the RAF was not meeting diversity targets. Her comments followed the resignation of an unidentified female group leader who ran the recruitment department at RAF Cranwell, apparently over concerns that the RAF’s fighting strength could be undermined by “impossible” targets, Sky News reported. An MoD spokesman said: “There will be no lowering of standards for any group to join the RAF. Basic training courses will be complete when they start. There is no risk to the operational effectiveness of the RAF.” Byford, chief of staff and one of the air force’s most senior female officers, told The Times she had slowed down the recruitment process ahead of next month’s RAF board meeting. The board meeting will look at ways to legally use “affirmative action” so recruits could potentially be selected based on their merit, gender or nationality if they meet the basic requirements to join the service, he said. Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. “I want the best people. So I need the best people to come in to achieve the best they can during their careers in the service and we get … what we need in terms of operational capability. And if I can include more women and more people from different backgrounds, I think I have a better service in the long run. We’re not ashamed to do that because I think that’s a good thing,” he told the Times. He said the RAF was “just shy” of meeting its diversity targets for recruitment this year of 25% women and 12% people from ethnic minorities, falling short by 5 percentage points and 4-5 percentage points respectively. So, she said, she had asked her recruitment team based at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire to stop filling training courses until early September. The board “would not necessarily prioritise” women and minority recruits over white men, he said, responding to critics who accused the RAF of “concern” and policies that “little amount to an illegal campaign of institutional sexism and racism against white men” officers”. He also disputed claims that the RAF’s operational requirements could be affected by the diversity move. The RAF aims to increase the proportion of women recruited to 40% by 2040 and that of people from ethnic minorities to 20%, which are more ambitious targets than the army or the Royal Navy. The military is generally increasing its targets to recruit more people from ethnically diverse backgrounds, according to an official MoD match action plan seen by the Telegraph. The document reportedly calls for “more ambitious targets … to address under-representation” by March. But it is said to have caused controversy within the government. A military source has reportedly accused the Ministry of Defense of pursuing an “obsession” with diversity as Britain faces its worst threat since the second world war, the Telegraph reported. A spokesman for the Ministry of Development said: “We maintain a laser focus on our response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and our operations are always the highest priority. We are also working to broaden the diversity of our armed forces to reflect the society they serve and to create an inclusive work environment that retains top talent.”

title: “The Raf Is Not Shy About Its Diversity Aims Says Its Head Of Recruitment Royal Air Force Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-17” author: “Robert Rentz”

Air Chief Marshal Maria Byford said she had “slowed down” the recruitment process for all applicants after evidence showed the RAF was not meeting diversity targets. Her comments followed the resignation of an unidentified female group leader who ran the recruitment department at RAF Cranwell, apparently over concerns that the RAF’s fighting strength could be undermined by “impossible” targets, Sky News reported. An MoD spokesman said: “There will be no lowering of standards for any group to join the RAF. Basic training courses will be complete when they start. There is no risk to the operational effectiveness of the RAF.” Byford, chief of staff and one of the air force’s most senior female officers, told The Times she had slowed down the recruitment process ahead of next month’s RAF board meeting. The board meeting will look at ways to legally use “affirmative action” so recruits could potentially be selected based on their merit, gender or nationality if they meet the basic requirements to join the service, he said. Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. “I want the best people. So I need the best people to come in to achieve the best they can during their careers in the service and we get … what we need in terms of operational capability. And if I can include more women and more people from different backgrounds, I think I have a better service in the long run. We’re not ashamed to do that because I think that’s a good thing,” he told the Times. He said the RAF was “just shy” of meeting its diversity targets for recruitment this year of 25% women and 12% people from ethnic minorities, falling short by 5 percentage points and 4-5 percentage points respectively. So, she said, she had asked her recruitment team based at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire to stop filling training courses until early September. The board “would not necessarily prioritise” women and minority recruits over white men, he said, responding to critics who accused the RAF of “concern” and policies that “little amount to an illegal campaign of institutional sexism and racism against white men” officers”. He also disputed claims that the RAF’s operational requirements could be affected by the diversity move. The RAF aims to increase the proportion of women recruited to 40% by 2040 and that of people from ethnic minorities to 20%, which are more ambitious targets than the army or the Royal Navy. The military is generally increasing its targets to recruit more people from ethnically diverse backgrounds, according to an official MoD match action plan seen by the Telegraph. The document reportedly calls for “more ambitious targets … to address under-representation” by March. But it is said to have caused controversy within the government. A military source has reportedly accused the Ministry of Defense of pursuing an “obsession” with diversity as Britain faces its worst threat since the second world war, the Telegraph reported. A spokesman for the Ministry of Development said: “We maintain a laser focus on our response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and our operations are always the highest priority. We are also working to broaden the diversity of our armed forces to reflect the society they serve and to create an inclusive work environment that retains top talent.”

title: “The Raf Is Not Shy About Its Diversity Aims Says Its Head Of Recruitment Royal Air Force Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-03” author: “Beverly Spillman”

Air Chief Marshal Maria Byford said she had “slowed down” the recruitment process for all applicants after evidence showed the RAF was not meeting diversity targets. Her comments followed the resignation of an unidentified female group leader who ran the recruitment department at RAF Cranwell, apparently over concerns that the RAF’s fighting strength could be undermined by “impossible” targets, Sky News reported. An MoD spokesman said: “There will be no lowering of standards for any group to join the RAF. Basic training courses will be complete when they start. There is no risk to the operational effectiveness of the RAF.” Byford, chief of staff and one of the air force’s most senior female officers, told The Times she had slowed down the recruitment process ahead of next month’s RAF board meeting. The board meeting will look at ways to legally use “affirmative action” so recruits could potentially be selected based on their merit, gender or nationality if they meet the basic requirements to join the service, he said. Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. “I want the best people. So I need the best people to come in to achieve the best they can during their careers in the service and we get … what we need in terms of operational capability. And if I can include more women and more people from different backgrounds, I think I have a better service in the long run. We’re not ashamed to do that because I think that’s a good thing,” he told the Times. He said the RAF was “just shy” of meeting its diversity targets for recruitment this year of 25% women and 12% people from ethnic minorities, falling short by 5 percentage points and 4-5 percentage points respectively. So, she said, she had asked her recruitment team based at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire to stop filling training courses until early September. The board “would not necessarily prioritise” women and minority recruits over white men, he said, responding to critics who accused the RAF of “concern” and policies that “little amount to an illegal campaign of institutional sexism and racism against white men” officers”. He also disputed claims that the RAF’s operational requirements could be affected by the diversity move. The RAF aims to increase the proportion of women recruited to 40% by 2040 and that of people from ethnic minorities to 20%, which are more ambitious targets than the army or the Royal Navy. The military is generally increasing its targets to recruit more people from ethnically diverse backgrounds, according to an official MoD match action plan seen by the Telegraph. The document reportedly calls for “more ambitious targets … to address under-representation” by March. But it is said to have caused controversy within the government. A military source has reportedly accused the Ministry of Defense of pursuing an “obsession” with diversity as Britain faces its worst threat since the second world war, the Telegraph reported. A spokesman for the Ministry of Development said: “We maintain a laser focus on our response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and our operations are always the highest priority. We are also working to broaden the diversity of our armed forces to reflect the society they serve and to create an inclusive work environment that retains top talent.”

title: “The Raf Is Not Shy About Its Diversity Aims Says Its Head Of Recruitment Royal Air Force Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-20” author: “Arthur Pelton”

Air Chief Marshal Maria Byford said she had “slowed down” the recruitment process for all applicants after evidence showed the RAF was not meeting diversity targets. Her comments followed the resignation of an unidentified female group leader who ran the recruitment department at RAF Cranwell, apparently over concerns that the RAF’s fighting strength could be undermined by “impossible” targets, Sky News reported. An MoD spokesman said: “There will be no lowering of standards for any group to join the RAF. Basic training courses will be complete when they start. There is no risk to the operational effectiveness of the RAF.” Byford, chief of staff and one of the air force’s most senior female officers, told The Times she had slowed down the recruitment process ahead of next month’s RAF board meeting. The board meeting will look at ways to legally use “affirmative action” so recruits could potentially be selected based on their merit, gender or nationality if they meet the basic requirements to join the service, he said. Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. “I want the best people. So I need the best people to come in to achieve the best they can during their careers in the service and we get … what we need in terms of operational capability. And if I can include more women and more people from different backgrounds, I think I have a better service in the long run. We’re not ashamed to do that because I think that’s a good thing,” he told the Times. He said the RAF was “just shy” of meeting its diversity targets for recruitment this year of 25% women and 12% people from ethnic minorities, falling short by 5 percentage points and 4-5 percentage points respectively. So, she said, she had asked her recruitment team based at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire to stop filling training courses until early September. The board “would not necessarily prioritise” women and minority recruits over white men, he said, responding to critics who accused the RAF of “concern” and policies that “little amount to an illegal campaign of institutional sexism and racism against white men” officers”. He also disputed claims that the RAF’s operational requirements could be affected by the diversity move. The RAF aims to increase the proportion of women recruited to 40% by 2040 and that of people from ethnic minorities to 20%, which are more ambitious targets than the army or the Royal Navy. The military is generally increasing its targets to recruit more people from ethnically diverse backgrounds, according to an official MoD match action plan seen by the Telegraph. The document reportedly calls for “more ambitious targets … to address under-representation” by March. But it is said to have caused controversy within the government. A military source has reportedly accused the Ministry of Defense of pursuing an “obsession” with diversity as Britain faces its worst threat since the second world war, the Telegraph reported. A spokesman for the Ministry of Development said: “We maintain a laser focus on our response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and our operations are always the highest priority. We are also working to broaden the diversity of our armed forces to reflect the society they serve and to create an inclusive work environment that retains top talent.”

title: “The Raf Is Not Shy About Its Diversity Aims Says Its Head Of Recruitment Royal Air Force Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-04” author: “Peter Sanchez”

Air Chief Marshal Maria Byford said she had “slowed down” the recruitment process for all applicants after evidence showed the RAF was not meeting diversity targets. Her comments followed the resignation of an unidentified female group leader who ran the recruitment department at RAF Cranwell, apparently over concerns that the RAF’s fighting strength could be undermined by “impossible” targets, Sky News reported. An MoD spokesman said: “There will be no lowering of standards for any group to join the RAF. Basic training courses will be complete when they start. There is no risk to the operational effectiveness of the RAF.” Byford, chief of staff and one of the air force’s most senior female officers, told The Times she had slowed down the recruitment process ahead of next month’s RAF board meeting. The board meeting will look at ways to legally use “affirmative action” so recruits could potentially be selected based on their merit, gender or nationality if they meet the basic requirements to join the service, he said. Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. “I want the best people. So I need the best people to come in to achieve the best they can during their careers in the service and we get … what we need in terms of operational capability. And if I can include more women and more people from different backgrounds, I think I have a better service in the long run. We’re not ashamed to do that because I think that’s a good thing,” he told the Times. He said the RAF was “just shy” of meeting its diversity targets for recruitment this year of 25% women and 12% people from ethnic minorities, falling short by 5 percentage points and 4-5 percentage points respectively. So, she said, she had asked her recruitment team based at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire to stop filling training courses until early September. The board “would not necessarily prioritise” women and minority recruits over white men, he said, responding to critics who accused the RAF of “concern” and policies that “little amount to an illegal campaign of institutional sexism and racism against white men” officers”. He also disputed claims that the RAF’s operational requirements could be affected by the diversity move. The RAF aims to increase the proportion of women recruited to 40% by 2040 and that of people from ethnic minorities to 20%, which are more ambitious targets than the army or the Royal Navy. The military is generally increasing its targets to recruit more people from ethnically diverse backgrounds, according to an official MoD match action plan seen by the Telegraph. The document reportedly calls for “more ambitious targets … to address under-representation” by March. But it is said to have caused controversy within the government. A military source has reportedly accused the Ministry of Defense of pursuing an “obsession” with diversity as Britain faces its worst threat since the second world war, the Telegraph reported. A spokesman for the Ministry of Development said: “We maintain a laser focus on our response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and our operations are always the highest priority. We are also working to broaden the diversity of our armed forces to reflect the society they serve and to create an inclusive work environment that retains top talent.”