Year by year, the global momentum towards achieving female representation and equality in the workplace continues to grow. Embracing this cause is not only morally right but also a strategic business move. Why would a business confine itself to just half of the talent pool? However, it is evident that not all professions attract women equally. In the UK, for instance, women constitute just over a quarter of the workforce in STEM fields (Women in Tech). Additionally, female professionals make up a mere 26 per cent of the transport sector (Women in Transport).
This well-recognised issue is actively being addressed, starting from the educational level, and existing women in the sector are being acknowledged and empowered. Initiatives like the Women in Construction and Engineering Awards, who have introduced a new category for 2024 – Supply Chain & Logistics. WES Top 50 Women in Engineering, and organisations such as Women in Transport and Women’s Engineering Society (WES) play crucial roles in celebrating and encouraging women in these fields.
What is also clear, is individual companies need to do more. Project Centre tackles this issue head on with their Women’s Learning and Development Network. Open to all, the Network provides a platform for positive organisational change.
The Network was born out of listening to people across the business. It was clear from the employee survey feedback regarding behaviour, language, and culture, that more was needed to support and develop the women of Project Centre. The Network, of both men and women across different disciplines and offices, set out to understand what needed changing.
Set out in two groups – Celebration and Causes Group and the Culture Group, they meet monthly to work on distinct goals including raising the profile of our female staff, improving and feeding into policy areas including career progression, benefits, the recruitment process, and celebrating the achievements of people and teams.
The Network has introduced a flexible working policy welcomed by many, enhanced our maternity/paternity packages and has advocated for unconscious bias training for all employees. They have reviewed content for job opportunities ensuring inclusive language is used.
The Celebration group is raising the profile of our women by actively researching and entering employees for awards. The group also organise the People of Project Centre Awards, with the 2023 Awards seeing 17 awards recognising everything from innovation and advocating people to apprentices, project managers and support teams.
The Network meets together quarterly to discuss future challenges and industry changes. With attraction and retention of female staff firmly on the agenda, Project Centre is excited to be a an Ambassador partner of Women in Transport which we know will further our culture that values and promotes gender equality.
Our partnership packages are a flexible and accessible way to support Women in Transport and your organisation's equity, diversity and inclusion objectives. Learn more about our partnership opportunities here and contact us if you would like a meeting to discuss how we can work together.
Follow us @transportwm on Twitter, on Linkedin at Women in Transport and at @transportwmn on Instagram for events, news and updates.