The BBC’s latest annual report admits that the corpration continues to miss its targets on diversity. It has an internal target of having at least 12.5% of staff from an ethnic minority background.

It also has internal targets to have at least 7% of senior managers from an ethnic minority background. But both targets have been missed third year in a row since they were first mooted.

The figures were released in the BBC’s Annual Report by its executives, for 08/09.

The report states that a ‘diversity strategy’ was reviewed last year and emphasis was placed on four areas: corporate strategy and business planning, audiences, output and workforce.

It put in place a three-year programme aimed at further diversifying the BBC workforce at all levels.

The report states that on its Journalism Trainee Scheme 60% of the intake were from a non-white background. 32% of the intake into the Journalism Talent Pool was also from a non-white background.

The low number of employees from a non-white background, despite its success with in recruiting them suggests the BBC has trouble retaining them after a few years.

A BBC spokesperson told AIM Magazine: “BBC workforce diversity targets were reviewed last year and these stretching targets are due to be met by 2012. They are aspirational and we’ve always made it clear that progress would be achieved over a period of time and not straight away.”

“Performance against the targets may go up and down from month to month although over time the overall trend should be travelling in the right direction.”

Information about its training schemes can be found on the website.