Bradford firms are to be made aware of the benefits of employing a diverse workforce at a seminar in the city.

Employ Bradford is holding the day-long event to raise awareness of issues surrounding age, gender and race in the workplace.

And it is hoping the sessions will showcase opportunities currently being overlooked by firms in the city.

Today Sue Potts, project manager for Employ Bradford, said many businesses needed support in coping with a growing amount of legislation.

She said it was of particular importance to smaller firms which do not have their own human resources departments and often lack up-to-date knowledge on such issues.

"We have been out to see more than 90 different employers in the last four or five months and one of the key issues they have spoken to us about has been diversity," she said. "It is not just about race, there is also disability equality and age to think about." Mrs Potts said the nature of Bradford's workforce, with a large Asian component and a pool of older workers, made diversity a pertinent issue.

"A lot of businesses don't realise that there is such a source of people out there to tap into, especially among those who have been made redundant, many of whom have transferable skills," she said. "I think that Bradford companies tend to be a bit reticent about taking on people in the 40-plus age group."

A host of speakers have been lined up for the forum, which will take place at Bradford City's Bradford & Bingley Stadium, and there will also be themed workshops.

Speakers will include management consultant Zulfi Hussain of Global Synergy Solutions, who will talk about the business case for diversity; Jane Worrell from arbitration service ACAS; and Karen Harbisher, chairman of Abbey National's diversity action group. The project is supported by Jobcentre Plus, Yorkshire Forward and the West Yorkshire Learning and Skills Council, and is part of Employ Bradford's remit to help businesses share best practice.

For more information about the event, which runs from 2pm until 7.30pm on Thursday, September 17, telephone (01274) 207217.