Liza Atuau reveals why working in male dominated supply chain industry suits women, young people
Ever considered working in the supply chain industry? Here’s why the male dominated field suits Geelong mothers and young people well.
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A supply chain industry worker has revealed why the traditionally male dominated field is actually ideally suited for women.
Liza Atuau moved to Geelong from New Zealand five years ago, and was looking for a change from her 21-year career in the airline industry.
The 47-year-old said she “fell into” a career in the supply chain industry, but has never looked back.
Ms Atuau became involved in Deakin University’s Supply Chain Talent Pipeline (SCTP) Project, which aims to address a talent and capability shortage in the region’s supply chain and logistics industry by working with local organisations to break down barriers to recruitment and retention.
The project has a particular focus on introducing women and young people into the field.
Deakin senior research fellow Patrician McLean said at the moment, there were very few women in the field, and it was very much an ageing workforce.
Dr McLean said the project was raising awareness of the kinds of opportunities available.
“Not a lot of people know what it is, and even if they know what it is, there are a lot of old fashioned views about what it involves,” she said.
“People assume that supply chain’s pretty boring, and it’s men in trucks, and it’s dirty old warehouses.
“But it’s changed a lot (and) there’s a real talent shortage.”
Dr McLean said the project was looking at building the talent pipeline to address this shortage.
For Ms Atuau, her talent led her to securing a pick and pack role at action sports and lifestyle company Boardrider’s Norlane distribution centre, before moving to the inventory team.
She is now the pick lead at the centre, and has been seconded to an occupational health and safety admin support leadership role.
Ms Atuau said her favourite part of working at Boardriders was the people.
“What I enjoy is being around the people,” she said.
“Talking to people, leading people, creating and managing workloads – that’s my favourite part.”
Ms Atuau said the supply chain industry catered to people from “all walks of life”.
She said in particular, the work suited women and working mothers.
“It’s an industry that women should consider,” she said.
“It’s good for mums, because we know mums have really good work ethic – they’re running households, looking after children.
“They can come in and do their shift from 9am-3pm … they can work around their family life.”
Ms Atuau said it was also accessible because you didn’t necessarily have to hold a university degree to get your start in the industry.
She said there were lots of opportunities to “find your niche”.
“It’s not just for men,” she said.
“Anyone can step into it, and give it a go.”
For more information on the SCTP project, visit grllen.com.au/project/supply-chain-talent-pipeline-project/
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