The Executive Board of BPCA has given the go-ahead for a new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion committee, as part of its ongoing commitment to helping members tackle recruitment and retention issues,
BPCA president, Chris Cagienard, said: “The UK pest control industry lacks diversity. We are a little one-dimensional; an industry dominated by middle-aged white men.
“Not that there’s anything wrong with all the fantastic, middle-aged white men in the sector. Diversity shouldn’t mean doing away with who we already have. But, to be the best version of the professional pest industry we can be, we need to open up to and attract the best talent from all walks of life – we need to make our industry accessible to all.”
Mr Cagienard said that with the ageing population of many seasoned industry professionals, the opportunities available for young people, who wish to apply themselves, are greater than most industries have to offer.
He added: “This is an exciting fact that we should be shouting about from the rooftops. But, to date, we have not done well in this area, leaving the pest control industry wide open to a skills drain as the older generation retires without passing on its collective wisdom.
“Recruiting the best talent from the whole of the market early in their careers will only be a positive influence on the industry.”
Julia Pittman, of Beaver Pest Control, has stepped up to chair the new BPCA EDI Committee.