This week, members of our GKR team attended the launch of ‘The Year of Inclusion’ in the Irish Aviation Industry in the U centre in DCU’s Glasnevin campus.
The event included a fantastic list of guest speakers from various backgrounds who shared their experiences and thoughts on inclusion and diversity within the industry and in their own companies.
The speakers included Amelia Anderson, Co-Founder and President of AWAR, Peter Barrett CEO at SMBC Aviation Capital, Brid Horan, Co-Chair Balance for Better Business and Ronan Gallagher, Air Navigation Services Division in the Department of Transport.
As recruiters, it’s important for us to recognise the need for diversity and inclusion in the aviation industry. The event kicked off with Amelia Anderson who said that in order to drive change in the aviation industry, then we first need to engage men and people in power. Amelia said that ‘The Year of Inclusion’ initiative isn’t just about gender, but that it is far broader and there are legacy barriers that need to be addressed within the aviation industry.
Also speaking about the need for diversity and inclusion in the aviation industry was Brid Horan who said that the speed of change in Ireland was rapid. She also discussed research carried out about inclusion in the workplace and said that there is a correlation between gender-balanced management and better performance in companies.
Peter Barret and Ronan Gallagher also spoke about their own experiences with inclusion and diversity in their roles in the aviation industry and offered some fascinating points in relation to this. Peter expressed his wish for all candidates to have the same pathway to reach their full potential in the industry and Ronan noting that we need the still have this energy for this type of change in the future
The event was a great opportunity for our team to learn about the new changes coming to the industry and also to be more aware of diversity and inclusion in aviation. It was also a fantastic opportunity to see industry leaders acknowledging the need for diversity and inclusion and to see all the work that has been put in to tackle this already.
We would like to say a huge well done to the team in DCU’s Centre of Excellence for Diversity and Inclusion for organising a great event and well done to all the speakers on the evening for offering some fascinating and thoughtful points.
If you would like to arrange a meeting with any of our GKR team at upcoming events or you would like to invite us to events, please contact megan@gkr.ie.