Tools for creating a more inclusive workplace are now available on the ASI website. Developed by the ASI Diversity and Inclusiveness Committee, the web page identifies key ASI members leading the diversity charge and strategies to help small and medium-sized business broaden their worker pool.
Committee chair Samantha Swain said steel was traditionally seen as a male-dominated industry, but that is changing. “There are some notable examples of businesses that have been successful in attracting and retaining women to work in non-traditional career paths such as production operator, fabricator, tradesperson, shift supervisor, engineer, and general management,” she said. “Other businesses have also had success in deliberately targeting older workers and gaining the benefit of their experience. And still others have been successful in retaining and recruiting staff from a broad range of ethnic and cultural heritages.”
Samantha said the web page will outline those advances and ways to achieve it, and some of the high-level objectives of the ASI Diversity and Inclusiveness Committee. Those objectives include:
Charter members of the 10-member committee feature representatives from ASI, BlueScope, Icon Metal, Bondor Metecno, Chess industries, Hutchins Bros, Structural Challenge, and Protective Fencing.
The committee welcomes feedback from members. They should contact committee secretary David Varcoe at davidv@steel.org.au.