Axiom Demonstrates Commitment to Equal Opportunities in Electronics Manufacturing
November 2008
A Gwent-based contract electronics manufacturer has signed up to an innovative new programme designed to encourage and develop career progression for women working in the science, engineering and technology sectors in Wales.
Three female members of staff at Axiom Manufacturing Services in Newbridge have joined the Career Progression for Women (CPW) development programme which helps women combat the challenges they face working in traditionally male dominated industries.
Semta, the Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering, and Manufacturing Technologies, launched CPW in Wales following the success of a similar project in England.
CPW is spearheaded by project manager Ian Smith at Semta and Joan Jones from independent business consultants, Team Business Solutions. It has the backing of high-profile organisations including Wales TUC, Wales Management Council, Vision Training, Chwarae Teg and the University of Glamorgan.
Ian Smith said, “Semta’s Women and Work project, which recently ran in England, was a great success. The CPW initiative is similar; and it also allows us to identify the individual needs of women working in the science, engineering and technology sectors in Wales and respond directly to them in a timely case by case way. That means unlocking the potential of women in the workplace so employers can make full use of their skills.
“We have 50 women from 23 organisations signed up to pilot the programme and look forward to extending CPW to more women once the pilot is complete.”
CPW is mainly funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and contributions from the 23 companies involved in the project.
Joan Jones said: “Having spent most of my career in the engineering industry, I can identify with women working in the sectors that will be assisted by CPW and the challenges they face such as work life balance and the gender pay gap. Our main aim with this project is to break down any barriers that still exist for women and ensure that they are able to develop their careers to their full potential.”
Tina Dunstan, HR manager at Axiom is one of the three women at the company signed-up to CPW. She said: “We’re delighted to be supporting this innovative new project and were only too happy to get involved when we were approached by Semta.
“At Axiom, we have an extremely strong equal opportunities policy and we believe our workforce is an asset that requires investment, just like other areas of the business. Initiatives like this enable us to fulfill our ambition to be the employer of choice within the UK Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) industry.
“This initiative will work in conjunction with our ongoing leadership and management development programme, where we are ensuring that we have the right people, equipped with the right skills, to drive the business forward.”
ENDS.
