Farrat: creating the inclusive culture

The organisation has taken steps to Attract and encourage young women to consider apprenticeships within the engineering industry. As well as regular visits to schools and colleges to promote careers in engineering, Farrat offers scholarships to the most deserving of support in kickstarting their career.

Farrat develops female talent on staff to take on ambassadorial roles, who can work with students to create relatable, inspiring interactions. They offer work placements to young women who can experience the workplace environment firsthand.

Research shows that candidates for apprenticeships react well to a more inclusive approach to Recruitment. Farrat uses gender-inclusive language and imagery in its applications, and has taken steps to simply the whole process to benefit applicants that may struggle with more complex requirements. 

The firm also places strong focus on its values during the application process, giving applicants a firmer grasp of the employers’ motivations. Workers are recognised for their efforts in inspiring younger talent to get involved in STEM, planning and engaging with workshops.

In terms of Support for female apprentices, Farrat collaborates with a variety of organisations to ensure workers have the resources they need to develop. Aside from the visits to schools and colleges, Farrat works with a number of organisations to give women the tools to succeed, and is in the process of setting up its very own ‘Women in STEM’ group. Focusing specifically on growing the number of women within the business contributes to a snowball effect, as relationships can develop both in a peer-to-peer fashion as well as in mentorships both informally and on a more company-supported footing.

The company encourages its women and girls to attend networking events and conferences, especially those working to develop the wellbeing of women in the workplace. It’s been the case for Farrat that encouraging attendees to attend these events and experience their supportive atmosphere will eventually bring many of them to speak at these events themselves.

Some company benefits are targeted specifically at women and girls so that the business can Retain their services and continue to develop their skills. ‘My Work Blend’ is the name given to Farrat’s flexible working scheme, which aims to recognise the need for balancing caregiving responsibilities with their role. New parents receive enhanced maternity pay and extra support when beginning their return to work. There are also a number of wellbeing programmes in place to support workers.