Workplace diversity and inclusion short course will create pathways into STEM careers

A new course designed by industry for senior leaders, managers and HR professionals will highlight the importance of diversity and inclusion in a productive workplace. The ‘Developing and Sustaining Diverse and Inclusive Workplaces’ micro-credential is the latest course to be released through the NSW Government’s $37.4 million New Education Training Model (NETM). 

The University of New England Partnerships (UNEP) has teamed up with Supporting and Linking Tradeswomen (SALT) to release the course, which commences on 15 August 2022. The course will give learners the opportunity to design and implement bespoke staff recruitment and retention strategies to promote diversity and inclusion in their organisations. 

The NETM is a new ‘flipped model’ designed for and by industry that is being rolled out by the Western Parkland City Authority, the NSW Government agency responsible for coordinating infrastructure, investment attraction and job creation in the Western Parkland City.  

The partnership between SALT and UNEP will help build greater workforce participation in western Sydney for women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, particularly in industries like manufacturing. It also supports the Government’s recent Women’s Opportunity Statement, which aims to ensure there are real choices for women to play an equal role in the workforce. 

Fi Shewring, President and co-founder of SALT said that the micro-credential will have a wide-reaching impact on industry. 

“The Western Parkland City is one of the most diverse places in the world, and with one in three Australian workers born overseas. An inclusive workplace with a diverse range of different backgrounds leads to more innovation, a greater breadth of skills and improved employee engagement and wellbeing.”

UNEP CEO Benjamin Gilmore, said he is delighted to be given the opportunity to work with SALT and to demonstrate the importance of regional universities and training organisations strengthening the skills base of the WPC. He noted regional cities across Australia have had to develop a strategic approach to maximising participation within their communities given the smaller populations in many of these regions.

 “We’re very excited to be working with SALT to deliver this important micro-credential. Diverse and inclusive workplaces play an important role in attracting and retaining productive workforces of the future.” 

NETM micro-credentials will be free of charge for learners and their employers during the early stages of the pilot program. The program targets skills gaps in key industries that will help grow productivity across the Western Parkland City. For more information, please visit here.