Inclusion | Talentblue

Talentblue is commited to providing advocacy and sponsorship for women in Industry

Women face a disproportionate number of barriers in the blue-collar industry. Through our partnership with Steel Chicks, industry group Steel Club of Victoria and with our clients, we hope to break the bias and implement market leading practices that support women in building safe and successful careers in the manufacturing and construction industries.

Breaking the Bias

Did you know that only 2% of onsite construction workers are women?

Industry quotas are an important way to introduce women into the industry, but it shouldn't stop there. To be sustainable, companies need to address the root cause of the issue and implement solutions that drive gender diversity, equity, and inclusion. Talentblue is committed to breaking the gender bias that women experience every day, and we can support your business in doing the same.

We can help foster an inclusive environment through:

Gender strategy development
Policy development
Workplace audits

Targeted sourcing strategies
Gender-focused job ad writing
Unconscious bias training

Crafting strategies that seek to advance gender diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace can benefit companies by expanding their talent pool, equipping them to tackle the ongoing skills gap, create a more positive culture and helping shine a light on issues that are experienced by both men and women like mental health and wellbeing. Companies can create a thriving diverse and inclusive culture through these three pillars:

Industry attractiveness, education and toxic cultures are barriers to women entering the blue collar workforce. Companies can tackle this by:

Implementing gender inclusion programs targeted toward female participation and male sponsorship

Provide education and training to female students, apprentices and workers

Create flexible work practices that cater to the needs of women looking to balance family with career

Showcase career pathways and role models for women

Attract

Recruit

Women are often deprived of informal hiring opportunities, denied based on perceptions of cultural fit or physical ability. These barriers can be eliminated by:

Recruitment policies that are formalised with non-exclusionary measures

Job ads that are directed toward women

Culture change and commitment to embody a genuine respect for the value women can bring to the industry

Ensure that an equitable proportion of women to men throughout the hiring process

Retain

Women face intimidation tactics, sexual harrassment and gender violence, and can often lack basic female amenities in the workplace. Companies can put a stop to this by:

Providing female-only bathrooms and appropriate equipment and clothing

Introduce flexible work arrangement such as job sharing or reduced hours to accommodate for caring responsibilities

Get involved in women network and mentoring programs

Reporting mechanisms for women aimed at reporting safety and harassment concerns

Get in Touch

Collaborating for Change

Steel Chicks is a female-led social enterprise that gives women a leg up in the steel industry. Passionate about increasing women's access to opportunities, Steel Chicks breaks down barriers by offering support, training, mentoring, coaching, and networking services. Welcoming women in all stages of their careers, Steel Chicks hopes to inspire women to join the industry and give them the space to grow and realise their full potential.

Talentblue is a platinum sponsor of Steel Chicks. Together, we strive for excellence and bring diversity of thought to the industry to make way for social change.

Resources we Love

Resources dedicated to fostering gender-based diversity, equity, and inclusion - whether you're a woman in the industry seeking support or a business aiming to bolster women's representation and advancement.