Dell wins equal opportunity for women in the workplace award

The accolade is for an ‘outstanding initiative and result' for the advancement of women.

Dell’s WITEM (Women in IT Executive Mentoring) program won the category of “Outstanding Initiative/Result for the Advancement of Women”.

WITEM was recognised for its results driven approach and creating a greater awareness and understanding of the barriers to women’s advancement within the ICT sector and profession.

“On behalf of all participating mentors and mentees, I am delighted WITEM has received this award,” said Joe Kremer, vice president and managing director of Dell Australia.

“We feel that WITEM drives action. It is about outcomes. It focuses on defining career paths, encouraging flexibility and influencing middle management to demonstrate and support diversity.”

This is the first time Dell Australia has entered the EOWA Business Achievement Awards.

WITEM is centred on creating corporate environments that attract and retain women. It encourages the sharing of ideas, information, expertise, experience and insight from some of Australia’s most influential technology and business leaders.

The WITEM program is set apart from other mentoring programs through its cross organisational and collaborative learning structure.

Mentors are CEOs, CIOs and CTOs from amongst Australia’s leading commercial companies, educational institutions, state and federal government departments.

Organisations committed to the program include industries such as finance, distribution, professional services, education, manufacturing and ICT.

All participants in WITEM work closely with Orijen, a mentoring specialist consultancy group.

Anna McPhee, EOWA Director, said offering specialised mentoring in the ICT field was an excellent way to help women progress in the technology industry.

“The mentees in Dell Australia’s Women in IT Executive Mentoring program are regularly surveyed and continue to report increased self confidence and self esteem; increased access and visibility to senior executives; accelerated career development with numerous mentees in each program receiving promotions,” said McPhee.