Equity and Diversity Action Plan
The Equity and Diversity Action Plan represents our commitment to grow our workforce diversity to be more reflective of the students, customers and the communities we serve.
The Equity and Diversity Action Plan 2024-25 strongly aligns with TAFE Queensland’s purpose to deliver contemporary, globally relevant skills, needed now and into the future, along with the opportunity for everyone, everywhere to transform their lives. This Plan is for our workforce, to focus our efforts and identify actions to improve employment outcomes and the employee experience for:
- Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- People with disability.
- Women in leadership.
- People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
- People who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and including all people of diverse sexualities and genders (LGBTIQ+).
Our initiatives will embed inclusive talent acquisition processes, build understanding and cultural capability, strengthen employee engagement, and ensure inclusive work practices as we collaborate to enhance our culture of belonging.
The TAFE Queensland Pride Network
Our Pride Network was established in 2021 and provides a forum for the LGBTIQ+ employees and allies to connect and collaborate in a shared and safe environment. Members have the opportunity to lead discussions, share ideas and offer guidance and feedback to TAFE Queensland on how to create and enact inclusive practices.
With over 80 members from around Queensland, the network continues to row and develop key initiatives that support LGBTIQ+ staff and students. The Pride Network is proud of its progress to date and looks forward to working on future initiatives within TAFE Queensland.
TAFE Queensland's achievements include:
- Pride Network established in 2021
- Annual recognition of days of significance including Wear It Purple Day and International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (known as IDHABOBIT)
- Pride in Diversity membership
- Provision of LGBTIQ+ resources and training for staff
- Ability for staff to include pronouns in their email signature
- Opportunities for staff and students to utilise their preferred name
- Creation of inclusive "Everyone is Welcome Here" LGBTIQ+ posters
- Contribution to the Queensland Public Sector LGBTIQ+ Steering Committee
- Sponsorship of events including the inaugural Moreton Bay Pridefest and Loud & Proud Logan
- Review of TAFE Queensland's policies and procedures to ensure inclusivity and compliance with the relevant legislation
We support LGBTIQ+ Communities
At TAFE Queensland we believe that everyone has the right to always be their authentic self, both in the classroom and work. We are committed in providing an inclusive and safe environment for all staff and students which is free from discrimination, harassment and bullying.
TAFE Queensland’s LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Pledge
Adopt non-gendered, inclusive language such as "Hi everyone".
Celebrate the diversity LGBTIQ+ employees and students bring to our community.
Challenge assumptions and misconceptions about LGBTIQ+ identities in a respectful way.
Create a supportive environment for LGBTIQ+ employees and students.
Discover and learn more about LGBTIQ+ identities.
Listen without judgement.
Encourage expression of true self at work.
Share our pronouns and commit to using people’s pronouns correctly.
Indigenous Student Support Officer and TAFE Queensland employee of more than two decades, Tammy Rasmussen, has spent a lifetime championing culturally safe learning environments and great training outcomes for First Nations students.
Learning the unique and visual language of Australian Sign Language, Auslan, sparked a lengthy career for Cathy interpreting for and supporting Deaf students to achieve their learning goals at TAFE Queensland.
The Living and Learning art program has been a collaboration of artist celebration and community engagement since 2015. Led by TAFE Queensland educator June Graham, the program provides a community outreach activity that enables students to enjoy a fun, purpose-driven approach to art techniques.