Progress
I was fortunate to spend some time with a bunch of wonderful humans last week. It was one of those conversations where I just enjoyed listening, and hearing different perspectives.
One thing we discussed at length is progress.
This is particularly important to consider when we look at social outcomes and social procurement. In recent years, the language of employment often refers to creating new roles. I'm definitely not saying this isn't a worthwhile activity, particularly for priority groups such as those re-entering the workforce, exiting the corrections system or those who face multiple structural barriers to work. We know that a job is fundamental to wellbeing. However, these opportunities need to be good jobs (more on this topic later).
So as we sat down to ponder a new development project, we started to challenge the notion of new employment being the goal when we know that there are major structural challenges already present in the existing workforce. There are many communities who are disproportionately represented in the lower wage, lower skill roles in construction. There is also a high dependency on 'labour hire', which as it's name suggests, turns a large group of people in a contracted commodity (labour). Then the labour tap is turned up and down depending on what is needed.
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So back to progress. Is there a bigger opportunity to address these structural challenges, as opposed to creating new entry-level roles? Where success is measured by creating the opportunity for everyone to reach their potential?
Our conversation explored two things; creating a vision of what's possible, and then providing the support, guidance and connection to make it a reality. It feels like we need both for our people to feel like they are progressing. Can we use these concepts make a dent in some of these structural challenges? I think so.
Let's move on from the term 'labour' and bring people back to the forefront. Let's humanise the employment narratives.
Progress is a powerful concept that we will continue to dig into.
National Procurement Manager, Department of Conservation (DOC),Wellington, New Zealand
1 年Kia ora Sean - very relevant to your labour 'Progress' post you may or may not be be aware of the Regional Skills Leadership Groups https://www.mbie.govt.nz/assets/hawkes-bay-actions-update.pdf Note from the latest Hawkes Bay update (local to me & one I was part of in my previous role across the councils \group) that there is a key recognition of the importance & opportunity that Progressive Procurement can contribute to the cyclone recovery, regional economy and labour market over the long term !
Husband | Father | Director | Coach
1 年Nice one, Sean. I’m particularly focused when working alongside senior teams, in the why of progress, with who, and what is it from here, to there. Progress provides an opportunity to celebrate how far we have come - to continue, course correct, or change - if we take the time and have the intention to do so. Mauri or ki a koe!