International Women in Engineering Day

Today we celebrate women engineers all around the world. We are grateful you are here with us despite all the odds, as we know how challenging it can be for women in this field.

At Orion, we are thankful for all the women engineers on our team and the diversity and skills they bring to the table. Our workplace would be poorer without you in so many ways. That’s why we are especially proud of our flexible working policy that makes things easier for you with flexible working hours, parental leave, and other support systems.

We take a holistic approach; not only do we offer flexible working, but also diversity and inclusion in training, equal opportunity in career progression, and mentorship. We are doing everything we can to make sure our engineering roles are more accessible to women.

What We Know

Engineering Australia are great advocates for women in engineering. They recognise the well-known challenges and gender disparity that exist in the engineering field. As of 2023, they report:

• Women make up 13.6% of the engineering workforce in Australia, indicating a significant gender gap.
• Women constitute 17.7% of engineering graduates, with an enrollment rate of 18.9% in engineering programs.
• Women have an employment rate of 46.3%, compared to 57.9% for men, which highlights a lower retention rate for women in the engineering profession.
• Unfortunately, there is a noticeable drop in high school girls studying subjects necessary to enter the engineering field, such as physics.

There are significant retention issues and continuing drops in participation for women aged 35 to 64, often linked to family and caregiving responsibilities.

What Initiatives Is Orion Taking?

Early STEM Education

Since 2022, Orion has sponsored and participated in the Celestino Sydney Science Park STEM School Challenge. Through onsite activities during field days, students learn and practice basic STEM principles. For the 2024 field days, Orion ran a road design class where students received a tutorial on considerations for road design and then had the opportunity to “draw” a road onto a map using those considerations.

Getting children, especially girls, excited about STEM and thinking about the development of their future world is important to Orion. We are dedicated to raising awareness about STEM and encouraging students to consider a career in engineering.

Retention Strategies

At Orion, we believe that work should adapt to fit the diverse lives of our team members. That’s why we’ve crafted a comprehensive flexible working policy, offering over 12 different flexibility options to meet a variety of needs, such as compressed working weeks, hybrid working arrangements, and more flexibility in how and when you work.

We also offer benefits such as birthday leave and interchangeable public holidays. These options are not just perks, they are essential elements that help our team balance their professional and personal lives.

For women, especially those juggling multiple responsibilities, flexibility is crucial. It allows them to pursue their career goals without sacrificing their personal commitments. By offering a variety of flexible working arrangements, we aim to create an environment where women feel supported and valued, and where their diverse perspectives can flourish.

We recognise that each team member’s life is unique, and our flexible approach ensures that your work can fit seamlessly into your lifestyle.

Inclusive Workplace Culture and Mentoring

Creating an inclusive workplace culture is at the heart of our values and mission. At Orion, we believe that diversity is our strength and inclusion is our commitment.

We are dedicated to fostering an environment where every team member feels valued, respected, and empowered to bring their whole selves to work. We offer diverse hiring practices, comprehensive training programs, inclusive leadership, and a safe and respectful working culture.

Women at Orion Focus Group

We are eager to have more women in leadership positions and as part of our team, but we acknowledge the difficulties faced by the industry as a whole. It can be hard to attract women engineers, and they may not always want to put themselves forward for promotions. To keep our focus on attracting and retaining women engineers, we have:

• Tailored our flexible working conditions to give them work-life balance.
• Formed a working group with the intention to increase numbers through networking, mentorship, sponsorship opportunities, and creating connections within our organisation.

We are proud of our initiatives but know it is going to take time.

Hear From Our Team

Priya, Lead Water Service Engineer

As a working mother, flexible work arrangements and maternity leave policies have been invaluable in allowing me to balance my professional responsibilities with the joys and demands of motherhood.

Equally significant is the support provided through maternity leave policies. Having adequate time to recover and bond with my newborn without worrying about work deadlines or financial strain has been a blessing. It’s reassuring to work for a company that recognises the importance of this period and ensures that returning to work is a smooth transition.

I’m grateful for an inclusive workplace where women can thrive professionally while nurturing their families, knowing that flexibility and support are not just privileges but essential components of a modern and compassionate workplace culture.

Sharmila, Water Service Engineer

Flexible work has allowed me to strike a better balance between my professional and personal life. By accommodating individual needs such as family responsibilities, commitments, or personal interests, it has helped me to maintain well-being and prevent burnout.

I have been able to adapt to life changes, health issues, or unexpected events while ensuring continuity in my professional life due to flexible work options.

Flexibility options have allowed me to focus more on myself and my family while maintaining work that keeps us mentally healthy.

Career progression options have empowered my career path. Rather than adhering to rigid structures, I have the opportunity to explore diverse roles, acquire new skills, and specialise in areas that align with my career as an engineer.

Constant learning opportunities and collaboration with teams outside our organisation, while compensating the work time as per your schedule, have certainly helped empower my career.

Having control over my schedule due to flexible working options, I feel more valued and respected and have higher job satisfaction. It helps me to reduce stress and be more productive.

We Are Dedicated to Changing the Narrative

Flexible work arrangements play a pivotal role in making engineering careers more sustainable.

Engineering jobs come with many challenges which may create significant work stress. Flexible work options have come as a bit of relief for engineers, allowing them to work on their own schedule rather than adhering to fixed timetables.

We understand the unique challenges faced by women in engineering and are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive workplace. We strive to be an engineering workplace where everyone can thrive!

If you would like to express an interest in working at the Orion Group, contact Kelly at k.byrne@theoriongroup.au