International Women’s Day and the UK’s National Apprenticeship Week sees Schneider Electric reinforce their commitment to diversity and inclusion - and to mentoring across the organisation.
Across Schneider Electric, their diversity and inclusion focus is on providing equal opportunities to everyone everywhere and ensuring all employees feel uniquely valued and safe to contribute their best. The company believes that this gives everyone the same chance of success, irrespective of their personal circumstances.
Schneider Electric believes diversity and inclusion are vital. By having a strong, clear ambition and strategy championed at all levels of the organization, they’re on a journey to having a fully diverse and inclusive culture.
The company places great focus on supporting the careers of apprentices and graduates.
Carmen, one female graduate working with Schneider, explains: “I joined on the graduate scheme and have been with the company a year and a half. There have been people that I have met along the way who have been instrumental in helping me make the right career choices, and have been ‘cheerleaders’ for me during my time at Schneider so far. One female mentor provided me with numerous ‘coaching’ sessions, whereby she highlighted how to build my brand at Schneider, how to put yourself in the best position for promotions, and generally helped instil in me the confidence to pursue a career in sales. I know that if I needed any career advice, she would be at the other end of the phone which is a great feeling.”
Since joining the team, Carmen’s manager has also been extremely supportive. “Joining the team has been a huge learning curve, and there are days when I doubt my own ability, but I always get the feeling that he believes in me and that is hugely motivating to me,” adds Carmen. “When I started with the team I was also assigned a buddy/mentor. He is someone I can always pick up the phone to, and no question ever seems too big or small. We keep in weekly contact, and I always feel like he genuinely cares about how I’m doing, both in and out of Schneider.”
Mentorship as a theme for celebrating important causes
Schneider believes that mentoring plays a key party in employees’ career development and Carmen’s positive experience is one the company seeks to replicate across its workforce.
In the spirit of this, Schneider is using mentorship as a theme for celebrating International Women’s Day and the UK’s National Apprenticeship Week.
Marking both campaigns under the tagline ‘Mentorship: Catalyst for Career Growth’, Schneider Electric will focus on how gender equality and inclusion can be built through trusting relationships that support people through career stages and make every person feel uniquely valued.
The company is hosting many activities across the UK and Ireland to celebrate the role of its employees through sharing stories about career growth, mentoring and Schneider Electric’s core values.
Further activity includes a Global World Café roundtable; panel discussions with colleagues sharing experiences and providing mentoring sessions; opportunities for exploring the benefits of being a mentor/mentee; UK Apprenticeship Week celebrations to broaden awareness about apprentice options across all disciplines; virtual sessions covering lots of apprenticeship information; local introductions to apprenticeships training programs; and access to guest speakers.
Celebrating apprenticeships via #FIREITUP campaign
The UK Government has been running the “Fire It Up” campaign on and over the past few years, industry and companies having woken up to the value apprentices can bring to the workplace.
With funding available through the UK Government’s Apprenticeship Levy, Schneider Electric has access to a new suite of development opportunities for their employees, with the new apprenticeships known as ‘standards’ being developed in collaboration with organisations to provide employees with the relevant skills and knowledge.
Schneider Electric is keen to ensure young people and its employees are aware of its developments.
Schneider is running many virtual sessions to tell its workforce more about what an apprenticeship is, dispel some myths around apprenticeships, look at how they are structured and offer example offerings.
To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, Schneider Electric is also inviting many training providers to its sites to discuss programmes and explain what’s involved.
Women seeking apprenticeships should consider Schneider Electric
If you like the sound of joining an energy management company that offers excellent apprenticeship possibilities, search for roles with Schneider Electric today.
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Disclosure: Where Women Work researches and publishes insightful evidence about how its paid member organizations support women's equality.