We Want More Women Working In Solar: Here’s The Plan.

The solar industry’s getting serious about gender balance. The Smart Energy Council’s Gender Action Plan (GAP) sets the stage for an estrogen-fueled transformation and was unveiled in a webinar last week.

I mean, come on, a measly one-third of the solar workforce are women, and the Smart Energy Council says they’re mostly in admin, with a smaller number in sales and very few up on roofs installing systems.

I think it’s great the Smart Energy Council is taking action to improve equality. But if you’re one of these folks who think this gender equality thing is overrated, do us all a favour and take a hike.  Chat with your mum about why she deserves fewer chances than your dad. Or, even better, try explaining it to your sister, but I can’t promise you won’t get a knuckle sandwich.

Why the Gender Action Plan Matters: Raising Awareness and Making a Difference

I’m dishing out the deets on this Gender Action Plan for three reasons:

1. To spread the word that the solar industry is finally addressing this issue.
2. To let those solar installers know what’s up when they hear about the GAP.
3. To offer suggestions on how you can help, no matter your industry.

So, the GAP webinar happened, and it struck a 50-50 balance on gender representation among the speakers. Not too shabby, huh?

Australia’s Ambitious Emission Goals Need More Women

Now, Australia’s government has some pretty ambitious emission-cutting goals, which means the renewable energy sector needs a boatload of new workers. According to one estimate, we must go from 120,000 currently employed in renewables to 600,000. And guess what? If we don’t level the playing field and give men and women equal access to these jobs, we’re looking at a world of trouble:

1. It’ll be harder to fill positions with a smaller applicant pool.
2. Labour costs will skyrocket thanks to supply and demand.
3. Worker quality will suffer because the best candidates won’t get a fair shot.

Sure, it’s a little icky to say we should be more inclusive just because the industry needs the help. You should give people a fair go because it’s the right thing to do. But, hey, I’ll take it. Money talks, after all.

Team Gender Force, Assemble!

The GAP’s 2030 goals are to up the number of women in the solar industry from 32% to 50% and to boost the proportion of female solar installers from 2% to 30%. They’re going to do it by assembling teams in solar companies that’ll shake up self-perceptions, change behaviours, and create more inclusive workspaces. Sounds like a plan. In fact, it sounds like a Gender Action Plan.

GAP Badges

Participants in the GAP get a shiny badge to show they’re actively working to make the industry better for everyone.  They can put it on their website and documents to show they are actively working to improve opportunities for women in the industry. But, how’s it all gonna be funded? Beats me. I just hope they don’t charge for the badges and slap a “good person tax” on the folks trying to improve things.

I also worry that these badges could lead to ridiculous situations where a company consisting of 10 women, two men, and an attack helicopter¹ could be accused of not being inclusive because they don’t have a badge on their website.

Physical Strength Stereotypes

Part of the plan is to ditch the idea that women don’t have enough muscles to work on a roof.  Some aren’t up to the physical side of solar installation, but plenty of men are in the same boat.  If they’re not tested on strength, it’s not fair to require it for women and make an extra hoop for them to jump through.

Don’t Be A Jerk

Now, to create more inclusive workplaces, we all need to make some changes – especially you blokes. That means we must address our unconscious sexism and knock it off with unwanted advances and teasing. Don’t be a jerk, alright?

Keep It Simple: Straightforward Steps to Build a Fairer Workplace

Building a better and fairer workplace is not complex.  Some people make a big deal of it with workshops and flowcharts, and seminars, but the most important steps can be summed up simply:

• Don’t be an arsehole.
• Never intentionally hurt anyone.
• When giving criticism, make sure it’s clear, concrete, and constructive.
• Be polite and — within reason — professional.
• Don’t treat the workplace as a pick-up joint.

At the end of the day, we’re all just people trying to make our way in the world. So, let’s make sure everyone gets a fair shot, and if you’re being an arsehole, it’s time to change your ways. Trust me, you’ll be better off without that chip on your shoulder. And always remember what my grandfather used to say,

“Don’t be a $4 man with a $5 grudge. You may not like the way things add up.”

Original Source: https://www.solarquotes.com.au/blog/solar-gender-action-plan/