Diversity, Equity & Inclusion training for production workers

Helen Macdiarmid: We’re trying to turn our DEI ambitions into practical day-to-day actions for everyone at Amcor. At production site level, this can be challenging due to different shift patterns and the availability of staff during these shifts. That’s why we developed this training for our colleagues in production facilities. The training focuses on creating an inclusive environment where all employees feel valued in every role.

Brian Foley: At first, our teams had some reservations about this training. But when we looked at the content, it offered a lot of opportunities to start interesting conversations that could move our culture forward. Sometimes, employees in a production environment aren’t used to entering a meeting and offering their perspectives. We saw great potential to bring people out of their shells with this DE&I training.

HM: To create the tools included in the training, each business group nominated co-workers to help develop the material. Together, we shaped the language and exercises to resonate with production colleagues. The training is designed as a shift-huddle tool, where employees discuss DE&I topics in a truly practical way. There are quizzes and relatable content that offer pathways into conversations about DE&I concepts.

BF: I’ve seen real-world examples of how this practical material is making an impact. Applying principles from this training has taken our team to the next level. Many people feel more empowered. They’re speaking up about better ways of working that we’ve since implemented in the areas of safety, process, ergonomics, and daily satisfaction.

HM: It’s fantastic to hear such positive feedback from Brian and his colleagues. This training is the first time these conversations have happened at many of our sites, and employees are excited to bring these topics into those spaces. We’re opening up better communication and collaboration. We’re now leveraging that momentum across all sites worldwide by taking this training to more and more facilities around the globe.

BF: I definitely encourage my colleagues at other Amcor facilities to take advantage of this DE&I training content. Of course, you have to be open to this kind of mindset change, and it takes trust. But our experience here shows that this training can have a transformative impact. We’re giving people tools and opportunities to show what they can do, and many of them are thriving. There’s a snowball effect, and we’re reaping a lot of benefits from it.