The IDEAtor Fellowship programme will look to address the recruitment needs of insights and data analytics businesses and will look to increase recruitment, development and progression of diverse talent in the industry.

The IA’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (Idea) Council will work with recruiters to source, screen and select graduates and junior staff from traditionally underrepresented populations to join the programme.

The council will then centrally manage on-boarding, contracting, compensation and benefits for the internship, with interns matched with programme ‘hosts’.

Hosts will get interns working remotely for two six-month periods – July to December 2022 and January to June 2023.

Sponsors will be recruited to help build and fund the programme during its formative phase in exchange for marketing and branding benefits.

The first hosts for the programme are Adelphi Research, Escalent, Gongos (part of InSites Consulting), Ignite 360 and Schlesinger Group. Founding Sponsors include Escalent, Chadwick Martin Bailey, Schlesinger Group, Torfac and Zappi.

Interns will also collaborate on inclusive insights projects, lending fresh perspectives, ideas and solutions to industry diversity, equity and inclusion challenges.

The programme culminates in a jobs fair, allowing hosts and sponsors the opportunity to recruit and retain interns.

Melanie Courtright, chief executive at the IA, said: “Enthusiasm for this programme – before we even officially got out of the gate – has been remarkable.

“We are grateful for the hard work of the Idea Council in developing this programme with the expert guidance of Equitas Insights.”