BEACONS of best practice in Bury travelled to Spain to help shed light on the benefits of managing a diverse workforce.

Officials from Bury Employment Support & training (EST) and local bosses advised their Spanish and Italian partners on how to effectively support employers in recruiting and retraining people from disadvantaged groups.

Bury EST and their counterparts at Stockport Council are spearheading the Euro-funded Embracing Diversity project to meet the recruitment needs of local firms.

Among the Bury delegation to Zamora in northern Spain was Sarah Draycott, human resources manager at the town's Village Hotel. She said: "The rest of Europe seems to be so far behind us and have many different regulations on employing a diverse workforce."

Conference colleague Stephen Mason, Greater Manchester Police's divisional personnel officer, commented: "It was an interesting experience that has given me more confidence regarding our current policies and procedures in recruitment."

Ingrid Hitchon, managing director of Bury-based Molygram, who became involved with Bury EST when she employed a young man with a learning disability, said: "It was great to get another point of view and tips on best practice from other UK employers."

Bury EST will hold its next employers' forum on July 7. To become a forum member, ring Fred Bowen on 0161253 6588.