Following on from this year’s International Women’s Day, we are interviewing some of our female employees to get their view on working in heavy industry and what this year’s theme of breaking the bias means to them.
Ingot & Metal Flow Supervisor, Jordan Brownlowe, started at TAC in 2020 after a 16-year career in the hairdressing industry where she owned a salon. Seeking a complete career change, Jordan set about gaining the required qualifications suited to heavy industry, whilst still working as a hairdresser.
She then applied for a role at TAC as an operator in the Casthouse where she worked for 14 months before challenging herself and applying for a leadership role. With the support of her Superintendent, she was successful in her application and has since become the first female leader in the Casthouse.
Find out what Jordan had to say below…
This year’s theme for IWD was breaking the bias, what does that mean to you?
To me, it means to break a bias of the assumption that females can’t fulfil all roles in workplaces. Many females on-site have great innovative ideas and we need to encourage these to be shared more.
As a female working in manufacturing, what myths would you like to dispel?
Some people believe that females working in manufacturing are merely tokenism and companies filling a quota. We need to dispel this and promote females and their achievements.
How can the men in your life (both at home and work) contribute to assisting women’s progress in industries such as manufacturing?
I am very fortunate in this area as my partner has been very encouraging since I have chosen to do a complete career change. As a couple raising two children, we want to be good role models to them and we work as a team. TAC has also been very supportive of our commitments to having a family as well as work.
What challenges do you face in your role and what are you doing to help pave the way for future women in manufacturing?
As the only female supervisor in my department, it’s been challenging establishing myself in the role and asserting myself as credible in my leadership style and opinions. I stick to my guns and follow through with what I believe, whilst still being open to learning. I also try to be a good role model encouraging other women to take opportunities.
Have you faced any barriers in your career due to being a woman and how did you overcome them?
As I touched on earlier the notion that I am there as part of a quota as opposed to me earning the position through passion and hard work, has meant I have been more persistent in my approach. Although I consider myself lucky in that I have always felt supported by my team and department.
What is the most important piece of advice you have been given?
The best piece of advice I have been given and like to pass on is… “Do your job, but ensure you do it safely, nothing is worth not going home to your family at the end of each shift”.
How can we (Tomago) encourage more women to join our organisation and progress through to leadership roles?
Promotion and good news stories that are based on capability, not gender.
Who inspires you from a career perspective?
All leaders at TAC inspire me in some way, I hope to be in a similar position one day. The company CFO and Carbon Manager are both female and they show that females in senior leadership positions are possible and inspirational.
What words of encouragement or inspiration would you give to a young female looking to progress through to a leadership role or a role in heavy industry?
Have a crack and see how you go!!!
