A diverse, inclusive workforce is a sustainable and resilient workforce. Roads Australia Transforming Transport Summit asked panellists what it will take to guarantee a sustainable pipeline of talent now and into the future, and how government and industry can work together to this end.
In her keynote address, Gabrielle Trainor AO unveiled some of the important interim research from five pilot projects for the Culture in Construction Culture Standard. She spoke to high level findings across the three P’s – pipeline, people and policy, setting the scene for a deeper panel discussion about an inclusive workforce.
Brett Schimming of BuildSkills Australia supported embedding diversity targets into procurement and argued that access to role models would encourage women, Indigenous people, and migrants into the sector.
In keeping with this theme Romilly Madew AO highlighted the urgent need to increase the number of women in engineering. Romilly highlighted some of the issues faced by overseas qualified engineers in Australia, and how the Engineers Australia Global Engineering Talent pilot program is working to improve employment outcomes.
Joe Barr shared some of the tangible actions that John Holland has implemented to encourage a diverse workforce, including a late start program, which has been found to encourage people with childcare duties and those requiring more flexibility. Attendees also heard about John Holland’s work to support AFLW players whose sporting commitments require flexibility in their workplaces.
Thanks to Roads Australia board member Nicole Green for facilitating the session.
