Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Training has become an important part of workplace learning for UK businesses. It helps employees understand equality law, recognise discrimination and inappropriate behaviour, challenge unconscious bias and contribute to a workplace where people are treated fairly and respectfully.
For employers, EDI Training is not simply about meeting legal requirements. It can also support employee wellbeing, improve workplace culture, encourage respectful communication and help organisations create fairer approaches to recruitment, development and progression.
This guide explains what Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Training is, the 5 top Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Training Providers in the UK, why EDI training is important for businesses, the topics generally covered and the key UK legislation that organisations should understand.
What Is Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Training?
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Training teaches employees how to recognise and promote fairness, respect and inclusion in the workplace.
Equality is about ensuring people have fair access to opportunities and are not disadvantaged because of characteristics protected by law.
Diversity recognises and values the different backgrounds, experiences, perspectives and characteristics that people bring to an organisation.
Inclusion focuses on creating an environment where people feel respected, valued and able to participate and contribute.
EDI Training can help employees understand how their own behaviour, assumptions and decisions can affect colleagues. Courses may cover discrimination, harassment, victimisation, unconscious bias, stereotypes, inclusive communication and practical ways of supporting colleagues.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) confirms that the Equality Act 2010 protects people from discrimination and identifies nine protected characteristics.
5 Top Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Training Providers in the UK
1. Aleido
Aleido offers a dedicated Diversity and Inclusion e-learning suite designed to help organisations develop respectful and inclusive workplace cultures. Its courses cover areas including diversity awareness, respect and inclusion, bullying and harassment, bias awareness, problematic behaviour, UK equality legislation and support for working carers.
Aleido’s training can be accessed through an organisation’s own LMS or its learning platform, and content can be edited or tailored to meet organisational requirements. Courses are available across computers, tablets and mobile devices.
Why choose Aleido?
- Dedicated diversity and inclusion training portfolio.
- Covers UK equality legislation.
- Addresses unconscious bias and problematic behaviour.
- Includes bullying and harassment awareness.
- Supports inclusive language and respectful workplace behaviour.
- Training can be tailored to organisational requirements.
- Compatible with different devices and LMS environments.
- Offers both off-the-shelf and bespoke digital learning solutions.
Aleido also has experience developing bespoke inclusion-focused learning. For example, it worked with INvolve and Greene King to transform content covering prejudice, discrimination and intersectionality into an eight-module e-learning programme using scenarios and interactive learning.
This makes Aleido a strong choice for organisations looking for both ready-made EDI courses and tailored digital learning solutions.
Aleido diversity and inclusion courses
2. Day One Technologies
Day One Technologies is a UK e-learning provider specialising in bespoke, interactive and scenario-based digital learning. The company has more than 25 years of experience creating e-learning solutions for organisations across sectors including healthcare, financial services, government, transport and technology.
Rather than relying solely on traditional click-through training, Day One uses its Learning by Doing approach, incorporating realistic scenarios, simulations and decision-making activities.
Day One has also developed learning designed to support under-represented communities. Its work includes e-learning for recruitment advocates for the Metropolitan Police, designed to improve access to training from under-represented communities.
Why choose Day One Technologies?
- More than 25 years of e-learning experience.
- Bespoke training can be designed around an organisation’s requirements.
- Scenario-based and immersive learning approaches.
- Focus on practical application rather than passive learning.
- Experience working with government, healthcare and major UK organisations.
- Can develop compliance learning and learning platforms.
- Suitable for organisations that want customised EDI learning rather than generic off-the-shelf content.
Day One can therefore be particularly suitable for organisations that want EDI training built around their own workplace situations, policies, employee roles and organisational culture.
EDI Training from Day One
3. iHasco
iHasco provides Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Training designed for employees at different levels of an organisation. Its course covers the meaning of EDI, why it matters, protected characteristics and practical ways to improve workplace inclusion.
The course also addresses barriers to an inclusive workplace, including bias, stereotyping, discrimination, harassment and victimisation.
The course is CPD certified and recognised by IIRSM and Citation, and includes a multiple-choice assessment and certificate. Training progress and results can also be managed centrally through its LMS.
Why choose iHasco?
- Dedicated EDI workplace training.
- Covers the nine protected characteristics.
- Addresses discrimination, harassment and victimisation.
- Includes practical EDI guidance.
- CPD certified.
- IIRSM and Citation approved.
- Available in multiple languages.
- Includes assessment and completion certificates.
- Suitable for employees at different levels.
iHasco is a good option for businesses looking for accessible online EDI training that can be rolled out across a workforce and tracked through an LMS.
iHasco EDI courses
4. Equality and Diversity UK
Equality and Diversity UK specialises in equality, diversity and inclusion training. Its EDI training explores identities, barriers, bias, discrimination, protected characteristics and respectful communication. The provider offers both in-house and open training, with courses available online or face-to-face.
Its training is designed to help learners understand their responsibilities, challenge unfair behaviour and contribute to an inclusive workplace. Topics include the nine protected characteristics, types of discrimination, stereotypes, employer and employee responsibilities and practical EDI approaches.
Why choose Equality and Diversity UK?
- Specialist focus on equality and diversity.
- Dedicated EDI training programmes.
- Open and in-house training options.
- Online and face-to-face delivery.
- Practical and interactive training.
- Covers the Equality Act 2010.
- Addresses discrimination, stereotypes and bias.
- Suitable for employees, managers and HR professionals.
This provider can be particularly suitable for organisations that prefer instructor-led and interactive EDI workshops rather than purely self-paced e-learning.
Equality and Diversity UK courses
5. Highfield e-learning
Highfield e-learning is a UK workplace training provider offering a broad range of online compliance and workplace courses. Its wider training portfolio makes it suitable for organisations that want EDI learning to sit alongside other workplace compliance programmes.
Why choose Highfield e-learning?
- Established UK e-learning provider.
- Online delivery suitable for workplace learners.
- Broad compliance training portfolio.
- Suitable for organisations managing multiple employee training requirements.
- Can support EDI learning alongside other workplace compliance subjects.
- Suitable for businesses across different sectors.
Highfield can therefore be considered by organisations looking for a broader workplace training provider rather than a specialist EDI-only training company.
Highfield e-learning
Why Is Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Training Important for UK Businesses?
Helps Prevent Discrimination
UK employers must not discriminate against workers because of protected characteristics. Discrimination can occur in areas such as recruitment, pay, promotion, redundancy and employment conditions. It can also happen indirectly through workplace rules or practices that disadvantage particular groups.
EDI Training helps employees understand these risks and recognise behaviour that could result in unfair treatment.
Supports Compliance with Equality Law
The Equality Act 2010 provides the main legal framework for protection against discrimination in Great Britain. It covers employment and other areas of work and establishes the nine protected characteristics.
Training can help employees and managers understand their responsibilities under this framework.
Creates a More Inclusive Workplace
An inclusive workplace aims to ensure that employees feel respected, valued and able to contribute. Training can help organisations identify behaviours and practices that unintentionally exclude people.
Raises Awareness of Unconscious Bias
People can make assumptions based on previous experiences, stereotypes or unconscious preferences. EDI Training can help employees recognise these influences and consider how they may affect workplace decisions.
Improves Workplace Behaviour
Training can give employees practical guidance on respectful communication, inappropriate language, challenging unacceptable behaviour and supporting colleagues.
Supports Recruitment and Career Development
EDI awareness can help organisations review how decisions are made during recruitment, promotion, performance management and career development.
GOV.UK guidance confirms that employers must not discriminate during recruitment and that specific rules apply to questions concerning protected characteristics, health and disability.
Helps Prevent Harassment
EDI Training can help employees understand what constitutes harassment and how to report or challenge inappropriate behaviour.
This is particularly important because UK employers have a legal duty to take steps to prevent sexual harassment at work.
What Topics Are Generally Covered in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Training?
The exact content varies between providers, but EDI Training commonly covers the following topics.
1. Understanding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Courses normally begin by explaining the differences between equality, diversity and inclusion and how these principles apply in the workplace.
2. The Nine Protected Characteristics
Training generally introduces the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender reassignment
- Marriage and civil partnership
- Pregnancy and maternity
- Race
- Religion or belief
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
These are recognised as protected characteristics under the Equality Act.
3. Types of Discrimination
Employees may learn about:
- Direct discrimination.
- Indirect discrimination.
- Harassment.
- Victimisation.
- Discrimination arising from disability.
- Failure to make reasonable adjustments.
4. Unconscious Bias
Training may explain how unconscious assumptions and stereotypes can influence workplace decisions and interactions.
5. Stereotyping
Employees can learn how stereotypes may affect communication, recruitment, promotion, teamwork and decision-making.
6. Inclusive Communication
Courses may cover respectful language, appropriate workplace communication and how employees can avoid language or behaviour that could make colleagues feel excluded.
7. Bullying and Harassment
Training can help employees identify unacceptable behaviour, understand reporting procedures and know how to respond when they witness inappropriate conduct.
8. Sexual Harassment
Courses may cover recognising sexual harassment, reporting concerns, bystander responsibilities and employer responsibilities for preventing sexual harassment.
9. Disability Awareness and Reasonable Adjustments
EDI Training may introduce disability inclusion and explain the importance of reasonable adjustments.
Under the Equality Act, employers have responsibilities to make reasonable adjustments so disabled workers are not placed at a substantial disadvantage.
10. Recruitment and Selection
Training can explore how organisations can make recruitment and selection processes fairer, including avoiding inappropriate questions and reducing bias in decision-making.
11. Inclusive Leadership
Manager-focused EDI Training may cover inclusive leadership, fair decision-making, supporting diverse teams and responding appropriately to concerns.
12. Allyship and Bystander Intervention
Some courses teach employees how to support colleagues experiencing inappropriate behaviour and how to challenge or report unacceptable conduct safely.
13. Creating an Inclusive Workplace
Training can provide practical suggestions for embedding inclusion into everyday workplace behaviour, policies and organisational practices.
UK Legislation Relevant to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Training
Equality Act 2010
The Equality Act 2010 is the principal piece of legislation covering equality and discrimination in Great Britain. It protects people from discrimination because of the nine protected characteristics and applies to employment and other areas.
EDI Training commonly introduces the protected characteristics and different forms of unlawful discrimination under the Act.
Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023
The Worker Protection Act 2023 introduced a new duty on employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of employees. The duty came into force on 26 October 2024.
This makes sexual harassment awareness and prevention an important consideration for workplace training programmes.
Employment Rights Act 2025
The Employment Rights Act 2025 contains further changes concerning sexual harassment protections. According to current government guidance, the strengthened requirement for employers to take “all reasonable steps” and the new third-party harassment provisions are due to come into force on 1 October 2026.
Businesses should therefore review their EDI, harassment and workplace training programmes as these changes take effect.
Public Sector Equality Duty
The Equality Act 2010 also includes the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED), which applies to specified public authorities and organisations carrying out public functions. The duty is intended to help public bodies consider equality in their policies, decision-making and service delivery.
Equality Act 2010 and Disability
The Equality Act provides specific protections for disabled people in employment, including recruitment, training, promotion, dismissal and redundancy. Employers may also have to make reasonable adjustments where required.
How to Choose an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Training Provider
UK businesses should consider the following when selecting an EDI Training provider:
- Relevant legislation: Check that the course covers the Equality Act 2010 and other relevant legal requirements.
- Course content: Look for coverage of discrimination, harassment, bias, protected characteristics and inclusion.
- Practical learning: Scenario-based activities and workplace examples can make the training easier to apply.
- Delivery method: Consider e-learning, live virtual training, classroom workshops or blended learning.
- Audience: Check whether the course is designed for all employees, managers, HR teams or specific groups.
- Customisation: Organisations with specific EDI policies may benefit from tailored training.
- Accessibility: Make sure training is accessible to employees with different needs.
- Reporting: Online training should ideally provide completion records and reporting.
- Regular updates: Equality and employment legislation can change, so training content should be reviewed regularly.
- Organisation culture: Consider whether the provider can address the organisation’s actual workplace environment rather than providing purely generic content.
Conclusion
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Training can help UK businesses create fairer, more respectful and more inclusive workplaces while supporting employees’ understanding of equality law.
Providers such as Aleido, Day One Technologies, iHasco, Equality and Diversity UK and Highfield e-learning offer different approaches, from ready-made online courses to bespoke, scenario-based and instructor-led learning.
The most effective EDI programmes should go beyond simply explaining legislation. They should help employees recognise discrimination and bias, understand appropriate workplace behaviour, support colleagues and apply inclusive principles to everyday decisions and interactions.
For UK businesses, regular EDI Training can form an important part of a broader approach to equality, employee wellbeing, workplace culture and legal compliance.