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Construction Inclusion Coalition (CIC) chair has called for industry leaders to take a stand on equality, diversity and inclusion
To mark National Inclusion Week, the CIC has published its first Impact Report, documenting progress made by the organisations aligned to the CIC Built on Better Pledge.
More than 40 companies from across the industry have been working to address issues such as fostering an inclusive workplace culture, attracting and retaining diverse talent, and providing the platforms for employees to ‘speak up’.
The report outlines key progress, including:
- A number of coalition partners have ensured recruitment panels and candidate shortlists are more diverse
- Coalition members have launched a range of forums to discuss female-focused issues
- New policies have been introduced to address female-focused issues
- A range of initiatives have been developed to provide a better understanding of different minority groups and their perspectives
Built on Better
Commenting on this progress, CIC chair Angela Rushforth said more needs to be done to continue modernising and improving the industry.
Rushforth, who is also managing director of Toolstation, said: “Twelve months ago, we invited all construction businesses, regardless of size, to join the coalition and to commit to improving ED&I across the sector through our Built on Better Pledge.
“Despite the strong start we have made, now is the time for more vocal support from across the industry, and for leaders to join some of the fantastic organisations that have already committed their time, effort and voice to the CIC.”
Rushworth added that the initiative is not just about gender or minority representation.
“It’s about building an inclusive industry that can meet the demands being placed upon it, while securing the future of the industry,” she said.
“The view of the CIC is that CEOs and construction industry leaders need to be allies to this common cause of enhancing gender and ethnic diversity within the sector, and that the need for greater diversity isn’t only a female or minority-led initiative, but an objective for all of us.”
National Inclusion Week was founded by membership organisation Inclusive Employers in 2012.
This year’s theme of ‘impact matters’ is a call for employers and employees to think about what actions they can take and what impacts these actions could and should have for marginalised people in the workplace.
