Charting a Course for Diversity: The Australian Boating Industry’s Journey Towards Inclusion

by Tim Stackpool

Over recent years, the Boating Industry Association has been addressing the crucial consideration of diversity and inclusion. While traditionally seen as a male-dominated sector, industry leaders are increasingly recognising the importance of fostering a more diverse workforce and customer base. This thinking isn’t just about ticking boxes but is rather about harnessing the power of diverse perspectives to drive innovation, improve customer service and ensure the long-term sustainability of the industry.

The Current Landscape

The Australian boating industry, like many technical and trade-oriented sectors, has historically been predominantly male. From manufacturing and retail to marina management, men have long held the majority of positions, particularly in leadership roles. However, the tide is turning.

Recognising the need to raise awareness in the marine sector, the BIA held the industry’s first diversity and inclusion forrm in August, where Diversity Council Australia CEO Lisa Annese gave a keynote address. While diversity is informed by social and professional identity, inclusion is when a diversity of people feel they are respected, connected, contributing and progressing.

Research shows workers in an inclusive team are almost 10 times more likely to be innovative, almost 9 times more likely to work effectively together and four times more likely to provide excellent customer service than workers in non-inclusive teams.

Lisa Annese said an inclusive organisation is one where the diversity of people feel they are treated fairly, valued and respected, and their leaders show a genuine and visable commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Discussion at the forum then centred on current roles in the sector. While many women are employed in administrative positions, there’s a growing push for broader involvement across all areas of the industry.

The industry is now grappling with how to make such successes more commonplace and how to extend the focus on diversity beyond gender to include people from various backgrounds, genders, abilities and age groups.

Board-Level Commitment

One of the most significant developments in recent times has been the increased emphasis on diversity at the BIA Board level. Our industry leaders are recognising a diverse leadership team brings a wealth of perspectives, leading to more innovative solutions and better decision-making. This top-down approach is crucial for driving meaningful change throughout the sector.

However, it’s important to note that while there’s a commitment to improvement, specific programs and policies remain on-going and in development. This presents an opportunity for the industry to craft thoughtful, effective strategies that can make a real difference.

Areas of Progress

While there’s still much work to be done, it’s important to recognise areas where progress is being made. One shining example is in the area of organisations focused on making sailing accessible to people living with disability. Initiatives such as Sailability and the Making Waves Foundation not only opens-up the joy of boating to a wider audience but also demonstrates the industry’s capacity for inclusion when concerted efforts are made.

Another interesting trend is emerging in the boat hire sector, where in some surveys, women customers outnumber men. While the margin is small, it’s a positive indicator that women are increasing their level of engagement with boating activities. This trend could provide valuable insights for other areas of the industry looking to increase diversity among both the workforce and customer base.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite these positive signs, the industry faces several challenges in its quest for greater diversity and inclusion:

Perception: The boating industry is often perceived as a male-dominated, physically demanding field. Changing this perception to attract a more diverse workforce will require determined effort and effective communication.

Education and Training: Ensuring equal access to education and training opportunities is crucial. This includes not only technical skills but also leadership development programs.

Work Culture: Creating an inclusive work environment that values diversity and makes all employees feel welcome and respected is essential.

Customer Engagement: Understanding and catering to the needs of a diverse customer base requires new approaches to product development, marketing and customer service.

Retention: Attracting diverse talent is only the first step. The industry must also focus on retention strategies, such as Parental Leave policies, to ensure long-term success.

Learning from Other Industries

While the boating industry has its unique characteristics, we can learn valuable lessons from other sectors that have made strides in diversity and inclusion.

Tech Industry: Many tech companies have implemented mentorship programs and employee resource groups to support underrepresented groups. For example, Microsoft’s DigiGirlz program aims to inspire high school girls to pursue careers in technology.

Automotive Sector: Some car manufacturers have focused on creating inclusive product designs. For instance, Volvo’s YCC (Your Concept Car) project involved an all-female design team to create a car that appealed to women buyers while also attracting male customers.

Construction Industry: Organisations like the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) provide networking, education and mentorship opportunities. Our industry’s own Women In Boating division works to establish a similar network.

Actionable Strategies for the Boating Industry

Based on similar examples, some strategies worth considering include:

Developing further diversity programs: Establish industrywide mentorship programs that pair experienced professionals with newcomers from diverse backgrounds. This can help provide guidance, support and networking opportunities.

Creating Inclusive Marketing: Ensure that marketing materials and campaigns represent a diverse range of people enjoying boating activities. This can help change perceptions and attract a more diverse customer base.

Establishing stronger partnerships with diversity focussed educational institutions: Work with accessible schools and women-only colleges to introduce boating industry careers to their diverse student population. This could include internship programs, career fairs and guest lectures.

Implement Unconscious Bias Training: Provide training for all employees, especially those involved in hiring and promotion decisions, to help identify and mitigate unconscious biases.

Set Measurable Goals: Establish clear, measurable diversity and inclusion goals at both the company and industry levels. Regularly track and report on progress to ensure accountability.

Foster Inclusive Product Design: Involve diverse teams in the design and development of boats and boating equipment to ensure products meet the needs of a wide range of users.

Support Work-Life Balance: Implement flexible work policies that can accommodate different life circumstances, making the industry more attractive to a diverse workforce.

Celebrate Diversity: Recognise and celebrate diversity within the industry. This could include awards for inclusive practices or highlighting success stories of individuals from underrepresented groups.

Expand Adaptive Boating Programs: Build on the success of programs like Sailability to make boating more accessible to people with various abilities.

Conduct Regular Diversity Audits: Regularly assess the state of diversity and inclusion within individual companies and the industry as a whole. Use these insights to refine strategies and measure progress.

Making Changes Take Teamwork

The journey towards a more diverse and inclusive boating industry is not one that can be navigated alone. It requires the collective effort of everyone involved in the sector. Different aspects of inclusion and diversity can be considered depending on the industry sector.

For industry leaders, consider committing to diversity at the highest levels of the industry. Allocate resources for diversity and inclusion initiatives, and lead by example in promoting inclusive practices.

HR professionals need to review and revise hiring practices to eliminate bias. Develop targeted recruitment strategies to attract diverse candidates and create retention programs that support career development for all employees.

Marketing teams should ensure marketing materials represent the diversity we aim to reach in the industry. Conducting market research to understand the needs and preferences of diverse customer groups also helps.

and engineers could involve diverse perspectives in the design process, and consider adaptability and accessibility in product development.

At the shopfront, retailers and customer-facing staff can undergo education in cultural competency training to better serve a diverse customer base, while providing feedback to manufacturers about diverse customer needs and preferences.

Finally, for all industry members, challenge your own biases and assumptions. Speak up against discriminatory practices or comments if you encounter them, then mentor and support colleagues from underrepresented groups.

The Way Ahead

The Australian boating industry stands at a point of market progression and opportunity in terms of diversity. The commitment to inclusion at the Board level is promising but translating this commitment into concrete, wider action is crucial. By learning from other industries, implementing targeted strategies and involving all stakeholders in the process, the sector can chart a course towards a more inclusive future.

This journey towards diversity is not just about fairness and equality, although these are certainly important goals. It’s also about securing the future of the industry. A diverse workforce brings fresh perspectives, drives innovation and helps the industry connect with a broader customer base. It ensures that the Australian boating industry remains relevant, competitive and vibrant in an increasingly diverse world.

A diverse workforce brings fresh perspectives, drives innovation

and helps the industry connect with a broader customer base.

With determination, collaboration and a clear vision, the Australian boating industry can navigate towards a more diverse, inclusive and prosperous future. This journey promises not just to ensure the resilience of the industry itself but to introduce the joys of boating to more Australians than ever before.