The Australian Logistics Council says it is committed to improving that way that the industry attracts, retains and supports talented women in the logistics workforce.

After the inaugural ALC Diversity and Inclusion Summit, the industry body appears to be getting serious about changing the look of a traditionally male-dominated sector.

“The ALC Diversity & Inclusion Summit represents ALC’s commitment to encourage more women into the industry and to develop their leadership skills to equip them for future managerial roles,” said Michael Kilgariff, ALC Managing Director.

“At the Summit, industry leaders discussed what they are doing to address this issue, where there are gaps, and what practical measures can be put in place to tackle these challenges collectively as an industry.

“A range of senior industry leaders sent a very powerful message to all delegates that as an industry, we need to do better.

“Statistics show women are seriously underrepresented in senior management roles, board positions and more generally across the wider transport and logistics workforce.

“Over the next 12 months, ALC will work on a range actions highlighted at the Summit to try and turn these figures around.

“And while ALC is committed to taking a leadership role, I also take this opportunity to challenge all industry members to implement measures that promotes greater diversity and inclusion in their own workplaces,” he concluded.

The ALC’s Diversity and Inclusion Action Areas are;

• working with members to support secondments between companies to promote greater diversity

• providing leadership on promoting the logistics industry as a positive employment choice for women

• developing a Diversity Policy, including board representation, panel pledges and branding

• making available links to relevant online tests to determine levels of unconscious bias within organisations

• sharing positive learnings among industry to help support and retain a diverse workforce.

• investigating ways to ‘build the brand’ to attract a broader and more diverse applicant pool.

• promoting positive diversity and inclusiveness stories / case studies across the industry.

• examining ways to seek greater women representation in male dominated roles, and barriers associated with their current education / assessment requirements.

• investigating a scholarship / sponsorship / internship / award program to promote greater diversity.

• promoting ‘gender neutral’ advertising principles and practices

• supporting industry efforts to highlight educational opportunities and requirements for the logistics industry

• investigating research opportunities to better understand why women are leaving the logistics industry

The ALC has also posted the following Diversity and Inclusion Summit video.