Login
iscover
The program is designed to support the recruitment and retention of women in the workplace following a career break.
To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.
Create free account to get unlimited news articles and more!
Lockheed Martin Australia has confirmed that it has been accepted as the first defence and aerospace company to participate in the “Career Revive” program run by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
Alongside KPMG, the program will help implement mechanisms to support female workplace participation and remove barriers to workforce re-entry, with partnering businesses receiving tailored support to attract, retain, re-skill and support female employees.
Lockheed Martin Australia is one of 90 businesses to have been selected to take part in the government-run program.
Warren McDonald, chief executive of Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand, noted the program will help build pathways for women wishing to embark in a career with the company.
“We enjoy a diverse workforce across our Australian and New Zealand operations with women represented in a wide range of roles, at all levels across the organisation, making critical and valuable contributions to our company performance and success,” he said.
“We understand the importance of needing to take time out of the workforce for a variety of reasons, maybe to start a family, care for a family member, to prepare for a change in career or take an extended break. The Career Revive program will help ensure female employees that want to return are appropriately supported to do so and can continue their careers with us.”
According to the company, the program, designed to take place over 12 months, includes prototyping exercises, diagnostic activities, building an action plan, mentoring sessions and capability building workshops.
David Ball, regional director at Lockheed Martin Space and executive sponsor for the program, explained the importance of the project to maintaining talent.
“While we work hard to ensure the current return-to-work program and practices align with industry benchmarks, we know there are areas where we could improve and want to take actionable steps to get there,” he said.
“More importantly, we also want to acknowledge that our focus is not only on existing female talent but for those who may have taken a break from the workforce and are looking to step back in for an exciting new career opportunity with a company such as ours.”
Earlier in the month, Lockheed Martin Australia furthered the company’s commitment to Australia’s current and former service personnel, announcing a three-year sponsorship of Aussie Hero Quilts.
The organisation supports the morale and wellbeing of the defence community, coordinating volunteers from across the country to make quilts and laundry bags for current and former service members.
This includes those who are in compassionate need, having experienced physical or mental injury.
The $30,000 sponsorship over the next three years has been earmarked to support the organisation’s overheads, which includes materials and postage.
“We are honoured to support Aussie Hero Quilts. The quilts and laundry bags positively impact on the morale, and more importantly the mental health and wellbeing, of our servicepeople and veterans,” McDonald said.
“These gifts are a tangible reminder to defence members that the Australian community appreciates their service, and the sacrifice that their service has asked of them and their loved ones.”
According to founder and managing director of Aussie Hero Quilts Jan-Maree Ball, the organisation hopes to show Australia’s appreciation to current and former ADF personnel.
“What started as a small group from my quilting network, we now have over 200 volunteer members nationally who give their time and money to buy the required material and make the quilts and laundry bags,” she said.
“One Australian Army Officer told us that receiving his quilt when he was at rock bottom gave him the momentum he needed to turn his life around. Another serving member explained that having the quilt with her in hospital made her feel safe.
“We also provide Fallen Warrior Quilts to the family of those who lost their life during or after their service.”
With the uptick in domestic and humanitarian operations, the quilts and laundry bags have found a renewed and important role supporting members in Australia and overseas.
“We have supported specialist groups, such as our Australian Defence Force medical professionals whose expertise was relied upon during COVID-19, and members deployed at short notice to assist with the Afghanistan evacuation,” she continued.
[Related: Lockheed Martin Australia recognises student achievement for second year running]
