Infrastructure NZ is delighted to acknowledge the growing number of member organisations nominated as finalists for the 2020 Diversity Awards NZ™, demonstrating the increasing importance the infrastructure sector is placing on diversity and inclusion to help build a future focused industry.
“Entering the Diversity Awards is a bold move and demonstrates a public commitment to driving change in workplace cultures; which research demonstrates, is rewarded by enhanced business performance and employee engagement” says Paul Blair, CO Infrastructure NZ.
The awards, run by Diversity Works New Zealand, are in their 23rd year and celebrate best practice in workplace diversity and inclusion. Judging convenor Kirstin Te Wao says the judging panel was impressed to see a number of entries that demonstrated a clear link between the organisation’s diversity and inclusion initiatives and the overall business strategy.
“The judges saw some very well-designed programmes that evidence businesses are making a significant investment in the future sustainability of their workforce,” she says.
Another theme was the increase in organisations drawing on external expertise or partners to design and deliver initiatives, contributing to the uplifting of economic outcomes for broader Aotearoa.
“It was also wonderful to see organisations demonstrating inter-generational and collective thinking through initiatives that benefit an entire industry, not just one organisation, and have a broader impact on the wider community. These are all positive signs as Aotearoa reimagines what the future holds in a post-Covid-19 environment.”
This year, Infrastructure NZ members Jasmax were nominated as finalists in the Cultural Celebration Category, where they were commended for their responses to cultural and ethnic engagement in the workplace;
Deloitte was nominated as finalists in the Empowerment Category which celebrates innovative responses to empowering women in the workplace;
The Ministry of Education was nominated as a finalist in the Rainbow Inclusion Category, for their innovative response to inclusivity of the LGBTQI community in the workforce;
HEB Construction was nominated as a finalist in the Skills Highway Award Category, honouring organisations which recognise the importance of numeracy and literacy.
Citycare Ltd, Fletcher Building and Girl Boss NZ, The Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment and Watercare Services Limited were nominated as finalists in the Tomorrow’s Workforce Award category which celebrates innovative responses to a changing workforce demographic.
Aurecon was nominated as a finalist in the Work Life Balance Award which celebrates organisations that recognise that work is part of a rich and challenging life.
As a member of DiversityWorks, Infrastructure NZ is a strong advocate for member organisations developing diverse and inclusive workplaces by publicising clear targets and metrics on diversity, prioritising action and reporting externally to stakeholders. “We want the infrastructure sector to be the industry of choice”, says Blair “welcoming to everyone, and the home of the best and brightest minds.”
Infrastructure NZ congratulates all finalists and wishes them well for the Gala Dinner at the Skycity in Auckland on Wednesday, 16 September, where the winners will be announced.