Black Managers in Further Education

Abstract

This article reports on an exploratory study of black managers in Further Education colleges and records their individual views and experiences. The premise of this article is that, contrary to rhetoric about equal opportunities, black managers are experiencing barriers in progressing their careers. With examples from participants on a postgraduate programme in management, the article explores their experiences and perceptions and illustrates the various forms these barriers can take. The study follows seven black managers and their career aspirations over an 18-month period. The article suggests that black managers face additional constraints to progressing their careers and this has implications for organizations, and, in particular, how they encourage and maintain a diverse workforce.