Comment: Champion people promoting industry diversity
The Road to success Diversity Programme is designed to promote diversity stories and change both the internal and external perception of NZ's trucking industry
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The Driving Change Diversity Programme upskills participants to promote diversity and inclusion across the industry
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Over the last few months, I’ve you to the Te ara ki tua Road to success Driving Change Diversity Programme and began profiling our first tranche of 10 Diversity Champions.
The Programme, which is supported by Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand, Teletrac Navman, the Australian Trucking Association, NRC, and the NZ Trucking Association, is designed to work through our Driving Change Diversity Champions to promote diversity stories and change both the internal and external perception of our industry.
I’ve previously covered the inspiring stories behind Brianna Wilson, Joshua Hart, and Chelly Balasbas’ journeys in the industry so far, and in this column, I will introduce you to Lisa Gibson, Mickayla Kerr, Marthe Lutu, and Jacqueline Smith.
Gender equality is not something that just benefits women; in fact, it can benefit an entire organisation, particularly when it allows outstanding people such as Lisa Gibson to progress through the business.
Over a decade ago, Lisa worked in a Z Energy Cafe with neither background nor seniority. Her passion for the job and work ethic quickly stood out and has allowed her to progress to be customer operations and HSSE lead.
Lisa is now busy managing operational service and delivery issues, as well as contracting assurance and annual HSSE audits. As the CEO of Heagney Bros, Mickayla Kerr understands how important leadership is in cultivating a diverse workplace.
Running a family-owned transport company in a male-dominated environment, Mickayla is always ready to stand up for what’s right and what could be done better.
She works hard to bring out the best in every driver, whether it’s supporting female applicants in obtaining Class 5 licences, giving people with physical limitations career opportunities, or providing school hours to working parents.
In her 15 years in the military, Mickayla was one of the first females to lead within the combat arms and was actively involved in recruiting female soldiers into the artillery.
Safety is critical in the road transport industry, and the nature of the business means there are a large number of risk factors companies are having to constantly deal with.
The Alexander Group demands a high level of safety and risk assessment to keep their people safe, and health and safety advisor Marthe Lutu knows how to get those key safety messages across to a wide range of people.
Marthe is a role model to lots of Pasifika people in our industry. She moved to New Zealand from Samoa at the age of 12 and is a champion for both her Samoan culture and gender.
We all know from our own experiences that when you feel understood, valued, and embraced in a workplace, you’re naturally happier and do a better job.
At Renwick Transport, co-owner and manager Jacqueline Smith sees every day as a chance for those in the business to learn new things and strive to do better together.
She sees diversity as moving with the times and being open to embracing change. Jacqueline also believes in challenging the ‘just a truck driver’ mindset. Qualified heavy vehicle drivers are professional, skilled, and highly responsible and for that deserve greater respect.
Joining the Driving Change Diversity Programme, Jacqueline is enjoying being a part of a larger network and developing ideas to help promote diversity in the industry.
Our Diversity Champions came together in August for a workshop that included discussions about how they could promote diversity and inclusion across our industry.
These learnings will, over time and with the support of trucking businesses, help to make our industry a more attractive prospect and better placed for success in the incredibly competitive labour market.
The Driving Change Diversity Programme is run annually, and we will be calling for nominations again in the middle of next year. To find out more about Road to success, including how to go about taking on a trainee or becoming a Diversity Champion, visit roadtosuccess.nz.
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