Rail Analysis India March 2018 Digital Magazine | Page 190

Article | 189
New Technologies
New Technologies
“Being a male champion of change is about stepping up
beside women. Diversity and inclusion is not a HR or
Corporate problem but a whole of business issue. We
need to take action to dismantle the barriers to gender
equality,” said Rene Lalande.
Australasian rail industry meet to celebrate the
contribution of women to the rail sector
I
n Melbourne, 380 Australasian rail industry
representatives attended the Australasian
Railway Association’s (ARA) Women in Rail
Lunch to celebrate the contribution of women
to the rail industry.
Danny Broad, Chief Executive Officer of
the ARA said that as the rail sector enters an exciting
period of unprecedented investment and expansion,
such transformation provides the industry with the unique
opportunity to embrace change and improve the gender
diversity of the workforce.
“Currently, rail organisations are at different stages of the
gender diversity journey. The industry has an ageing and
male-dominated workforce but shares a strong desire to
actively improve the gender balance, recognising the many
benefits it brings. The significant growth facing the industry
provides the perfect leverage to drive this change,” said
Danny Broad.
At the Women in Rail lunch, ARA Chairman, Bob Herbert
AM, launched both the Gender Diversity Report and the
Gender Diversity Report Card and noted that improving
gender diversity in the Australasian rail workforce is a key
focus for the ARA and the responsibility of our member
companies.
Anna Squire noted that, “We need to create a culture of
respect and walk the talk. My advice to young women is,
it’s ok to be yourself, find a mentor and be open to new
opportunities. My advice to managers is seek out and
encourage women to apply for roles”.
“The ARA, on behalf of the rail industry has collated
diversity data to provide a greater understanding of our
progress with gender diversity. The industry is on track with
some initiatives such as 99 per cent of survey respondents
having formal policies or strategies in place that specifically
support gender diversity. However, improvement
is essential in other areas, such as increasing new
appointments awarded to women and investigating why
29 per cent of women are resigning from their positions,”
said Bob Herbert AM.
Speakers at the ARA’s Women in Rail Lunch included Sue
McCarrey, CEO, Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator;
Lisa Annese, CEO of the Diversity Council of Australia;
Rene Lalande, CEO, Transdev Australasia and 2017
Male Champion of Change; Anna Squire, Asia Pacific Rail
Leader and Global Rail Executive, Arup; Anne Koopman,
Head of Quality and Lean Manufacturing Australia,
Bombardier