Leaders in Infrastructure series agree industry action plan.

Organisational efforts to improve Diversity and Inclusion require training and mentorship, a whole of supply chain approach with an agreement on D&I and flexibility, and an ongoing industry focus on the ‘sharing of success’.

These are the industry actions agreed to at the conclusion of AECOM’s Leaders in Infrastructure – Diversity Inclusion series.

The four-part series brought together Diversity & Inclusion executive sponsors and influencers from companies including Laing O’Rourke, Aurizon, Robert Walters, Queensland Urban Utilities, Energex and the Queensland Department of Transport & Main Roads.

Survey results demonstrating the many benefits to be gained from organisational diversity and inclusion programs were used as the group met several times throughout May, culminating in the production of an agreed action plan addressing the barriers to an increased focus on diversity in the workplace.

This series of practical steps will address the structural, cultural, personal and interpersonal barriers hampering business efforts to promote gender diversity and inclusion.

Lara Poloni, AECOM Chief Executive – Australia New Zealand, said organisational commitment to diversity and inclusion is a win/win for organisations operating in the infrastructure sector.

“With the right leadership, policies and culture, it improves the productivity and engagement of existing employees and helps attract new ones,” she said.

“However, diversity and inclusion alone is not enough; it needs to be part of a holistic talent management strategy to deliver maximum benefit.”

Agreed actions:

  • An ongoing industry working group to work towards a common D I focus across infrastructure, share stories and influence the broader industry
  • A whole of supply chain approach with an agreement on flexibility and D I
  • An industry group mentoring program

Ms Poloni has launched AECOM’s successful MCircles mentoring program earlier this year, and as an ambassador for the Australia Workplace Gender Equality Agency’s (WGEA) In Your Hands campaign, is encouraging other business leaders to make gender pay equity a priority.