Komatsu commits to future female workforce

Komatsu has set strong diversity targets for itself to 2025 while creating a culture of inclusion to rival its peers in the Australian construction industry.

Upon announcing its partnership with the Western Sydney Wanderers Women’s soccer team earlier in November, managing director and chief executive officer of Komatsu Australia Sean Taylor has highlighted the company’s workforce goals.

“Pleasingly, 38 per cent of the intake into our award-winning apprenticeship program this year is female,” Taylor said.  “In this traditionally very male-dominated industry, Komatsu and Western Sydney are leading the way on diversity and inclusion.

“We’re doing well, but we’re not stopping yet. Western Sydney has set a high bar, and we’re looking to replicate and extend this successful approach.”

The company aims to reach 25 per cent female representation across the company by 2025, with plans to target bigger and better things thereafter.

In Komatsu’s 100^th year of operation, the company has developed itself internally and in what it produces for the construction industry.

“Our 100^th prompts us to not only look back – but to look to over the horizon at the next generation of earthmoving equipment, that simultaneously tackles the challenges of safety and sustainability,” Taylor said.

“And importantly, we do this with a focus on developing a diverse workforce that faces no barriers to doing the best job they can in an environment that supports who they are.

“As part of our anniversary, we not only revealed new technologies and products, but also a new tag line for our business – Creating Value Together.”

The company’s sponsorship of the Women’s Wanderers was a tangible step in the right direction, helping sportswomen to encourage everyday women to step into whichever jobs they want.

“The Wanderers’ players will form a key part of our apprentice mentoring program where we seek to inspire, develop, attract and retain more females into our business and our industry, which traditionally has been seen as a male-dominated field,” Taylor said.

Unfortunately, less than 10 per cent of corporate sponsorship dollars go to female sports in this country, so we are especially proud to associate ourselves with a team that is paving the way for Women’s football, and indeed for Woman’s sport in general in Australia.