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Aurizon Male Champions of Change drive diversity
Australia's largest rail freight operator Aurizon is driving diversity across Australia thanks to the Aurizon Male Champions of Change group.
Jilalan Maintenance Manager, Mark Burns is one of 23 employees in the group, comprising men from all layers, functions and locations across the Company.
Mark has been at Aurizon for five years and leads a team of 120 maintenance staff who maintain, repair and overhaul wagons and locomotives that haul coal to the ports in central Queensland.
He says diversity is the key to organisational success.
"I have seen the organisational transformation and change that can occur when we introduce different approaches and thinking. The introduction of diversity makes workplaces perform better.
"My objective is to make practical changes now in my part of the business…and be a part of communicating the journey and successes with the wider business and community.
"The challenge is to find real ways to introduce difference, nurture an inclusive environment and then let the successes drive themselves.
" The overarching goal of the Aurizon Male Champion of Change group is for male leaders to advocate for, and take action to, advance gender equality throughout Aurizon. Men who are willing to step up and work with and influence other male leaders on the value of diversity.
Aurizon has a traditionally male, blue-collar workforce with the percentage of female employees standing at 14.4%.
Aurizon's Managing Director and CEO, Lance Hockridge has given the Company a target of 30% female representation by 2019.
"If we treat inequality equally, then we will get what we've always had," he said.
"With 86% male representation in Aurizon, the majority of the decision makers are men when it comes to recruitment, promotion, development and project opportunities.
"This is not a women's issue, it's a leadership issue. This is why Aurizon's Male Champion of Change group has a vital role to play."
Aurizon's Male Champions of Change will help the Company to:
- Achieve sustainable improvements in the representation of women in Aurizon's workforce
- Create a more inclusive work environment; and
- Bring about a cultural change with employees understanding and accepting the value of diversity. Bring about a cultural change with employees understanding and accepting the value of diversity.