Enhancing equity in the workplace through improved access to sustainable job opportunities

Ireland is developing as a multi-ethnic society. Immigrants have diverse potentials and are a source of diverse knowledge and expertise to the country. Immigrants are continuously helping to increase innovation, creativity, and prosperity in Ireland in various ways, including in education and scholarship. However, job opportunities in certain sectors, such as academia, are limited, making it difficult for many qualified immigrants, especially from Black minority ethnic backgrounds, to be part of the workforce in such areas. Consequently, many graduates from minority ethnic groups are working in lower-level jobs or are employed as temporary staff for years. Generally, working in such areas for a long period of time can lead to low job satisfaction, limited career development prospects, and reduced role modelling opportunities for young people of migrant background. The rapidly changing demographic landscape of Ireland in relation to migration patterns requires more proactive and diverse ways of improving access to sustainable job opportunities for all to enhance increased productivity and economic sustainability in Ireland. This chapter will suggest ways of improving access to sustainable job opportunities in general and in academia in particular. Strategies for improving access to job opportunities include: co-creation of more job opportunities, application of inclusive recruitment and selection strategies, organisational support and facilitation of inclusive leadership opportunities, and the determination of individuals to stay focused on their career decisions.