Page 16 - Energize August 2021

NEWS

Diversity 360 vision accelerates female talent

Ambitious diversity and inclusion targets to be achieved by 2025
through Diversity 360 vision

eceiving training in the Diversity 360 focusing on specific goals for the desired
programme developed by Hitachi outcome. In addition, we have a collaborative
RABB Power Grids has been of great and open working environment, which
assistance in comprehending the importance means that my colleagues’ continuous input
of inclusivity and cultural awareness in the and support are invaluable. You have to
workplace, according to Production and Test have people around you who can motivate
Manager Sibongile Ntombela. you and tell you to ‘go for it’, especially
The company has set ambitious diversity managers. So, it keeps me motivated that Kellygrace Mathebula
and inclusion targets by 2025 through its I am on the right track and doing my job
Diversity 360 initiative. This is based on the correctly,” Ntombela adds. more female engineers and empowering them.
idea that diversity in thought and experience Skills transfer and mentorship are also “Women are not recognised and
will enable a dynamic solutions-orientated important, in addition to constant motivation celebrated enough. We definitely need
culture of innovation and collaboration and self-discipline. She adds that, “If you to do more to promote gender diversity
that allows employees to deliver its mission do not want to learn, you are never going and equality.” However, Mathebula adds
of providing sustainable energy solutions, to learn. What is interesting about the that she is part of “an amazing, supportive
in accordance with its Sustainability 2030 engineering field and our company is that and smart team. There is so much to learn
business strategy. you learn something new every day. This from them all, so I take it one day at a
Ntombela has a BSc in Technology means one looks forward to going to work, time so I can effectively boost my industry
Management from the University of Pretoria as it presents a constant challenge, which is knowledge and experience.”
and is currently studying for her Master’s in very exciting and stimulating.” Mathebula started her journey with
Engineering Management. A professional highlight for Ntombela has Hitachi ABB Power Grids as an engineer
“I manage production processes to been to see students trained and absorbed in training for two years, following which
ensure system design and functionality successfully into employment in the industry. she was employed permanently. Her latest
alignment, in conjunction with delivering on “It means I am on the right track if I am in the qualification is a Bachelor of Technology
business goals and productivity targets. I also position to upskill employees. Once you have in Electrical Engineering. She is currently
ensure that the teams deliver work packages worked for our company, everyone wants to pursuing a Master’s in Engineering,with
on time and to the quality and target cost work with you,” says Ntombela. Being trained her research focus on improving the energy
requirements”, she says. at Hitachi ABB Power Grids is sought after storage capacity of electric vehicles.
Her career at Hitachi ABB Power as a sign of success and upward mobility in She describes it as a very welcoming,
Grids has rapidly progressed from Testing terms of career development. relaxed working environment that promotes
Technician to Test Engineer, Test Manager, The challenge of being a woman in what diversity and puts the health and safety
and now her current role. is still largely a male-dominated industry is of employees first. “It is a progressive
“It has been an amazing journey in that women invariably have to work that company that has provided me with an
terms of my work experience. The key to much harder to establish their credibility, opportunity to capitalise on my technical
my success has been proper discipline and says Ntombela. “More opportunities need to skills and capabilities. For the two years
be provided for women to become leaders. and a few months that I have been here, I
I believe that if you want to witness change, have been afforded countless opportunities
this is critical, especially as women are hungry to continually learn and develop new skills
to prove themselves and go that extra mile.” utilizing both soft and technical training,”
She says that women stand to play a Mathebula says.
significant role in industry: “We can add a lot Four key workstreams underpin
of value, especially as we are not ego-driven Hitachi ABB Power Grids’ Diversity 360: A
and are willing to learn and unafraid of doing new leadership model to bring diversity
our research and asking questions if need be. and inclusion to life through day-to-day
However, we can also do better in celebrating leadership behaviour; female acceleration in
women’s achievements in the industry, terms of setting ambitious gender diversity
particularly as it is such a hard road for so targets; emphasising the values of live
many women.” diversity and inclusion; and to continue to
Kellygrace Mathebula, Tendering and attract and grow talent.
Quotation Engineer for the transformer
business at Hitachi ABB Power Grids, concurs Contact Thembisile Dzonzi, Hitachi ABB
that transformation in the industry and the Power Grids, Tel 010 202-5841,
workplace is work in progress, especially in thembi.dzonzi@hitachi-powergrids.com
Sibongile Ntombela terms of employing, retaining and promoting https://www.hitachiabb-powergrids.com

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