recruitment and labour hire social enterprise in the construction industry, resulting in the employment of three talented women into our business.
Sindhusri (Sri) Nimmala is working on RBR, Dulangi Malwatta on the Sunbury Road Upgrade Project, and Ammaila Rashid, who works in our pre-contracts team in Port Melbourne, have all been employed as graduate engineers.
The WI and Sheforce teams recently filmed a video as part of the Hume SEED program case study, to highlight best practice in inclusive employment, collaboration and B2B opportunities and the positive impact that our collaboration is having on people’s lives.
Larissa Farnan, WI HR Manager and Sri were the stars of the show, with support from Dulangi and team volunteers for some B-roll shots.
“WI decided to participate in the Hume SEED program as we have a commitment to inclusive hiring practices,” Larissa said.
“The Hume SEED program is an economic development program aimed at providing employment opportunities for underrepresented groups in Hume through inclusive hiring and social procurement.
“It is important to have a diverse and inclusive workforce in the competitive construction industry, not only as a means of social responsibility, but also as a pathway to success.
“WI joined forces with Sheforce, another Hume SEED signatory, to drive inclusive employment and foster meaningful change.”
Sri came to Melbourne from Hyderabad, India four years ago to complete her Masters.
She spent her first seven months here as a graduate working in a bottle shop because she couldn’t find work as an engineer.
A friend told her about Sheforce, and this created the pathway to her employment with WI on the RBR project.
Sri is grateful for the ongoing support of Larissa, and for the opportunity Sheforce offered her, as it can be very hard for international students to find work in their chosen field.
“It’s not a normal job, it’s my dream job that I’ve pictured for many years,” says Sri, who was offered the job on her 26th birthday.
“Coming into my exact field has made me so happy and I’ve just been made permanent too.”