As conventional industries wrestle to attain ample gender stability, Lucy Thomas and Lauren Millington are making strides at Hydro’s recycler in Wrexham. Right here is why that they had doubts about working within the aluminium trade, why they selected Hydro, why they find it irresistible right here – and their ideas on what may be achieved to enhance the gender stability within the firm.
March 8 is Worldwide Ladies’s Day, marking a name to motion for accelerating gender equality around the globe. Hydro is an organization of 32,000 staff, however solely 22 p.c are ladies. As a part of the corporate technique, Hydro has set the ambition to extend the variety of feminine staff to 25 p.c by 2025. Reaching this goal calls for dedication from leaders and staff in any respect ranges. In Wrexham, the corporate has 59 staff the place solely 13 p.c are feminine.
Lucy applies for a job as scrap purchaser
Lucy Thomas, 26, is from Wrexham and has been with Hydro for 5 and a half years. She joined as a graduate straight from the College of Manchester, the place she studied Worldwide Enterprise and Economics.
“I discovered in regards to the job over the past 12 months of my research. I had not heard in regards to the firm earlier than and knew nothing in regards to the aluminium trade or scrap, so I used to be a bit sceptical. After I advised my household I used to be going for an interview for a scrap purchaser they laughed,” says Lucy with a smile.
“The interview course of was good. I bear in mind Sue Bairstow (former Managing Director at Hydro in Wrexham, now retired) requested what I believed saved her awake at night time, and I then answered one thing like worrying about clients or suppliers. Sue stated it was ‘security of my staff.’ That has stayed with me,” she says.
Lauren joins straight from faculty and doing an apprenticeship to turn into an engineer
Lauren Millington, 19, is from Flintshire in North Wales and has been with Hydro for eight months. She joined straight from faculty, having studied engineering, and is now on a two 12 months apprenticeship contract coaching to turn into a upkeep engineer.
“Although I had not heard of the corporate earlier than, I preferred what I noticed within the job software as a result of the position regarded attention-grabbing and various. I did my analysis on the corporate web site. I preferred the truth that it was a worldwide firm and the position included coaching on a number of abilities quite than only one talent,” says Lauren.
Male dominant trade – however a unbelievable place to work
“I anticipated the trade to be largely male as there have been solely 4 ladies together with myself in my class at school. Initially, I used to be fearful about working with a whole lot of males,” Lauren says on her worries of working with “solely” males.
“I just like the individuals within the plant and the corporate actually takes care of us. The truth that we not too long ago celebrated 2,000 days of working with out an accident is a testomony to everybody’s dedication and dedication to security,” Lauren continues.
Good position fashions are essential
Having ladies in key administration positions has been a motivating issue for Lucy.
“Although the notion is that it’s a male dominant trade, it’s nice to see ladies in key senior positions within the firm. Our CEO, Hilde Merete Aasheim, and our Head of Recycling, Ingrid Guddal, are each ladies. It’s good to know what is feasible to attain in Hydro as a lady and climbing the ladder is feasible. It’s additionally inspiring that these ladies have proven that it’s potential to have a household and a profession in
Hydro. I can see a long life to my profession with Hydro,” Lucy says.“The ladies in Hydro, like Lucy, are an inspiration, and for me having work expertise right here is nice. I now really feel formidable to proceed my profession right here and to maneuver up the ranks,” Lauren says.
Excessive reward to the work atmosphere
The work atmosphere at Wrexham and the Hydro tradition are one thing that Lucy and Lauren communicate extremely of.
“I don’t really feel intimidated though I’m in a male trade. My confidence has elevated, and I’ve constructed numerous robust relationships in and outdoors the corporate. I do know who I can flip to for assist and I at all times really feel very supported, particularly with my profession ambitions,” Lucy says.
“The individuals listed here are beautiful and my confidence has grown within the time I’ve been right here,” Lauren says.
Why are there few ladies within the trade generally?
“I believe it’s a cultural factor within the UK quite than simply to do with Hydro. The notion of this trade is that it’s male dominated and soiled/dusty, and never interesting to ladies or males. Some ladies won’t like the thought of working in a male dominated trade, so if the trade has few ladies, it’s arduous to draw ladies. Finally, as we get extra ladies working in trade, then it turns into much less of a barrier,” Lucy says when requested why there are few ladies within the trade.
What may be achieved to enhance the gender stability within the firm?
“We have to begin by concentrating on colleges and schools to enhance the gender stability, and likewise change the notion of the trade,” Lauren says.
“Ladies like Lauren and myself must be extra seen, which is partly why we agreed to do that interview. Additionally, provision of Private Protecting Gear (PPE) has to enhance as most of it’s designed for males. We have to be sure that altering services are ample and firms must be sure that household pleasant insurance policies are lengthen to all employees. This implies whether or not it’s within the manufacturing unit, within the workplace, male
or feminine,” Lucy says.
A structured method to enhance gender stability in Wrexham
“Each Lucy and Lauren have achieved tremendously effectively for us since they started right here, and we’re very proud to have them with us. We’ve got a robust household feeling right here at Hydro, the place our purpose is to deal with and develop our staff, and be a office the place everybody can come as they’re. We goal an inclusive work atmosphere the place each males and girl can succeed and thrive,” says Wayne Clifton, Managing Director at Wrexham.
He additionally agrees that extra must be achieved to enhance the gender stability, and that change is on the best way, a lot because of Lucy and Lauren’s solutions, and the collaboration with HR & CSR Supervisor, Tracy Jones.
“We’ve got began to focus on colleges and schools in our individuals technique, and wish to discuss to colleges to point out what this trade is about and what we do, in addition to enhancing our services to enhance altering rooms and add extra services for ladies,” Wayne says.
