Inclusion@Work Diversity Report Released

TALENT PIPELINE WILL CONTINUE TO LAG WITHOUT BOOSTING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN THE SPACE, SPATIAL AND SURVEYING INDUSTRY

Research into the state of workplace diversity and inclusion in the space, spatial and surveying industry has recommended action to create a more inclusive industry.

In response to workforce shortages and growing competition for skills, eight industry bodies joined with Diversity Council Australia and Cultural Infusion in 2021 to establish a baseline for the state of diversity across the space, spatial and surveying profession, and the impact inclusive teams can have on innovation, productivity, and staff retention.

The landmark Space, Spatial and Surveying Inclusion@Work [https://sssdln.org/inclusionwo...] report finds that diversity and inclusion matters, with the 1,000 plus participants overwhelmingly in support of their workplace becoming more diverse and inclusive. It also found that diversity and inclusion action in the industry is high, and there is higher than average inclusive teams, managers, and organisations compared to the Australian workforce.

But the industry is not inclusive for everyone. Māori, Pasifika and employees of ethnic minorities including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander employees in Australia, those with disability, women, culturally diverse employees, and those who have caring responsibilities reported low representation in the industry compared to the workforce average, consistently lower levels of workplace inclusion, and some of the highest levels of workplace exclusion.

Valuing diversity and lived experience, adopting a future-flex mindset and focusing on creating inclusive events and meetings are some of the actions outlined in the report.

The Inclusion@Work report is an evidence-base for organisations, leaders, managers, and employees to identify where the industry needs to do more to target diversity and inclusion initiatives and build more representative and inclusive workplaces for everyone.

 “S+SNZ recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion in our professional sphere to incorporate the contributions and representation that all our current and future professionals can offer when tackling the big challenges we face says Kat Salm, President of Survey and spatial NZ. "Connection and collaboration, as well as breadth of ideas and experiences, help us to shape our future. We are very pleased that we could support the Space, Spatial and Surveying Inclusion@Work project, which helps provide an important baseline for our industry to build on.”

Amelia Davies, Chair, Space, Spatial and Surveying Diversity Leadership Network says, “This is the first time we have a baseline to help us to pinpoint areas where our sectors are doing well, and where we fall short of national benchmarks.

SSSDLN is proud to have partnered in this study, which is one of the first collaborations across peak industry groups of its kind.

If we are to dramatically improve the state of diversity and inclusion in our sectors, we need to embrace varied perspectives and identify and challenge our own behaviours and biases.”


For further media information contact:

Amelia Davies

amelia.davies@abs.gov.au

+61 (0)424 360 717