TRAINING & PROGRAMS
CALD Sponsorship Program
MindTribes’ CALD Sponsorship Program is designed to support the career advancement of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) employees by breaking down barriers and creating pathways for CALD employees to thrive in their careers.
Why is Sponsorship (not just mentorship) important for CALD career progression?
Sponsorship is critical for the progression of CALD employees because it involves a more active and impactful role than mentorship. While mentoring provides general advice and support, sponsorship involves senior leaders (sponsors) actively advocating for and promoting their sponsees. This includes providing access to high-profile assignments, opportunities for visibility, and direct support in career advancement.
Sponsorship is particularly important for CALD employees because:
- Active Advocacy: Sponsors use their influence and networks to create opportunities and open doors for CALD employees.
- Increased Visibility: Sponsors promote their sponsees’ achievements and potential, increasing their visibility within the organisation.
- Targeted Support: Sponsorship addresses specific barriers and biases that CALD employees may face, providing tailored support to overcome these challenges.
- Career Advancement: By actively advocating for their sponsees, sponsors help CALD employees progress in their careers, leading to greater representation in leadership roles.
Through our CALD Sponsorship Program, we aim to:
- Enhance Career Development: Provide CALD employees with the support and opportunities needed to advance their careers.
- Increase Representation: Promote greater representation of CALD individuals in leadership and decision-making roles.
- Foster Inclusive Leadership: Equip senior leaders with the skills to support and advocate for diverse talent.
- Create Networking Opportunities: Facilitate connections between CALD employees and influential leaders within the organisation.
OUR APPROACH
How does MindTribes deliver CALD Sponsorship Program?
Our approach to the CALD Sponsorship Program includes:
Program Design
Developing a tailored program that aligns with the organisation’s goals and addresses the specific needs of CALD employees.
Sponsor-Sponsee Matching
Carefully matching CALD employees with senior leaders who can provide effective sponsorship.
Training and Support
Providing training for sponsors and sponsees to ensure they understand their roles and responsibilities.
Ongoing Monitoring and Improvement
Regularly monitoring the progress of sponsorship relationships to ensure they are effective and beneficial.
Expected outcomes
Career Advancement
Enhanced career progression for CALD employees through increased opportunities and support
Increased Representation
Greater representation of CALD individuals in leadership and decision-making roles.
Improved Sponsorship Skills
Senior leaders equipped with the skills to effectively sponsor and advocate for diverse talent.
Why MindTribes?
MindTribes’ approach to the CALD Sponsorship Program leverages our deep expertise in DEI and leadership development. Our evidence-based methods ensure that the program is impactful and sustainable, fostering real change within organisations. We combine academic insights with practical experience to create comprehensive and effective sponsorship programs.
From our extensive consulting experience, we understand the challenges and risks Australian organisations typically face. We have partnered with a wide range of clients, across Government (state, federal and local), Not for Profits (NFP)/charities and from SME’s to ASX Top 20 companies, multinationals and educational institutions, empowering them to build inclusive and culturally competent workplaces.
Case Study
The NSW Public Service Commission engaged MindTribes to design and deliver the Elevate & Advocate – CALD Sponsorship program to tackle the underrepresentation of people from CALD backgrounds in senior leadership positions. The program was developed in response to data highlighting the significant challenges and biases faced by CALD employees and aims to create equitable pathways into senior leadership.
Implementation
The Elevate & Advocate program was meticulously designed by MindTribes to pair CALD employees with senior executives who act as sponsors. Extensive consultations and research informed the program’s development, focusing on specific barriers identified by CALD employees. A thorough assessment process ensures optimal pairings, matching potential sponsors and sponsees based on expressions of interest. Both sponsors and sponsees receive training on anti-bias strategies, cultural competency, and advocacy skills. Regular meetings and a community of practice support ongoing learning and relationship building. The progress of each sponsorship pair is closely monitored to ensure the program’s objectives are being met, with continuous feedback to refine and improve the program.
Results
The Elevate & Advocate program has achieved remarkable results. Several CALD employees secured higher-level roles with the support of their sponsors, demonstrating the program’s effectiveness in overcoming career barriers. The program significantly raised awareness of CALD leadership issues and increased CALD representation in senior roles, contributing to a more inclusive leadership landscape. Both sponsors and sponsees reported improved skills in cultural competency and advocacy. Sponsors gained insights into the challenges faced by CALD employees and learned how to better support their career progression. Additionally, the program fostered a strong sense of community among participants, promoting collaboration and mutual support across the public sector.
Conclusion
The Elevate & Advocate program by the NSW Public Service Commission has proven to be a groundbreaking initiative in promoting cultural diversity in public sector leadership. By addressing the specific challenges faced by CALD employees and providing targeted support and advocacy, the program has made significant strides toward a more inclusive and equitable workplace. This case study exemplifies how well-designed sponsorship programs can drive systemic change and enhance diversity in leadership.
Call For A Consultation
Enquire about our CALD Sponsorship Program today
