Inclusion in the Construction Industry
Chris Hayward, CEO, emphasizes the importance of inclusion in NMBS' culture, highlighting that diversity and inclusion are not interchangeable terms.
Diversity refers to representation, or "who is in the room", whereas inclusion is about belonging, making individuals feel welcome, valued, and able to thrive.
The Significance of Inclusion
In the construction industry and merchanting sector, this distinction is crucial, as addressing skills shortages requires becoming more diverse and drawing talent from a wider range of groups.
However, diversity cannot be achieved without building an inclusive culture.
Local Merchants and Diversity
Independent merchants, being local by nature, hire from and serve local communities, often having multigenerational ties to the surrounding areas.
Despite this local knowledge, the workforce does not yet reflect the diversity of these communities.
Diversity is about representation, about who is in the room. Inclusion is about belonging, about who feels welcome, valued and able to thrive in that room.
Author's summary: Inclusion is key to diversity in the construction industry.