By Staff Writers

The West Australian Government has released a three-year plan to attract and retain skilled and talented women in leadership positions across government agencies.

Taking the Lead: Women in the Workforce aims to increase the number of women in leadership roles in the public sector over the next three years.

In the Western Australian public sector, women make up 64 per cent of all public servants, but hold just 23.9 per cent of executive roles.

Deputy premier Eric Ripper said the leadership gender gap had economic as well as social implications.

“This plan is about maintaining a skilled workforce in a very healthy economy with record low unemployment rates,” he said.
“It is also about changing our culture and adapting work practices to ensure valuable experience is not lost. The public sector needs qualified, skilled women and we need to ensure we provide the opportunities for growth and leadership that will make them want to stay.”

The plan outlines 21 recommendations targeting professional development initiatives, support mechanisms and cultural change in the public sector.

The Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Department of Consumer and Employment Protection and the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity will be responsible for ensuring the plans are implemented.

The recommendations include an expansion of professional development, the extension of mentoring programs to include women on parental leave or working part-time and the development of a training program for all managers on achieving and managing flexible work arrangements.

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