The Workplace Gender Equality Agency’s Gender Equality Scorecard 2021-22 found only 41 per cent of managers in workplaces across Australia were women.
In June 2022, G-MW created a Gender Equality Action Plan to help ensure the corporation was providing equal opportunities for all employees. One of the aims of the plan was to create more leadership opportunities for women.
To support this, the water corporation has had a number of staff participate in People Measures’ Women in Leadership Development course.
The five-month course consists of a mixture of in-person and online workshops that provide participants with development experience to help upskill and prepare for future roles.
Senior communications and engagement officer Chloe Warburton was one of three G-MW employees to undertake the course earlier this year. She said it had been a hugely beneficial experience.
“The course helped us identify our strengths and allowed each of us to develop our own personal style of leadership,” she said.
“It was a really diverse mix of participants. It was inspiring to be around women from different fields and in different stages of their careers who were all looking to learn more about how they can influence their workplaces for the better.
“It was fantastic to be involved in and it is great that G-MW is providing this opportunity to its staff.”
Three more G-MW employees recently began the program. Among them is people, culture and safety adviser Alison Fitzsimmons, who is from Girgarre East.
“I’m really excited to be part of the course,” she said.
“It’s great to get the chance to develop some new skills and network with others who are eager to do the same.”
People, culture and safety general manager Glenda Smith said providing opportunities like the Women in Leadership Development course was invaluable.
“Initiatives like this benefit not only the employee but the corporation,” she said.
“It has been wonderful to see the staff who have participated in the course integrate the learnings from it into the workplace.
“It shows the importance of our Gender Equality Action Plan. When people of all genders are empowered and respected in the workplace, everyone benefits.
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