An initiative proposing the introduction of 'anonymous' CVs has gained the support of many major businesses.
The proposals suggest that candidates' names and schools should not be requested during the recruitment process, in order to remove the risk of unconscious discrimination on the grounds of education or ethnicity.
It is thought the plans would help jobseekers from all walks of life have an equal opportunity at landing their dream job and make it easier for employers to pick the most skilled applicants for vacant roles.
Coca-Cola, Tesco, M&S, Barclays and Nestle are amongst the employers to have backed the plans. Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg will write to 50 other major employers urging them to do the same.
In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, Clegg urged British firms to adopt a 'what you know, not who you know' mentality.
He said: "The fact is, workplaces across Britain desperately need to be opened up. The principles behind the compact are simple; fairness, opportunity, investing a little more time in the next generation - your future workforce."
According to Personnel Today, the initiative is also encouraging firms to pay national minimum wage to all of their interns and advertise work placement opportunities in places where people of all backgrounds will see them.