Client story | Defence- Aurecon Ascend

Driving greater gender equity and inclusion in the Defence industry

Building a more diverse and inclusive workforce for future female leaders.

Engineering and Defence are two sectors where female participation and female leadership have traditionally been underrepresented compared to other sectors.

To tackle this issue, the Australian Department of Defence (Defence) and Aurecon forged a strategic partnership in 2020 with a shared vision: to actively cultivate gender equity and inclusion by empowering their high-potential women to thrive in leadership roles.

Acknowledging the importance of accessing external expertise to ensure the highest standards in design, delivery and evaluation of a leadership development learning experience, the Department of Defence and Aurecon chose to engage Inkling Group.

Through a process of close collaboration and consultation with both organisations, the Ascend program was developed.

Supporting high-potential women to step into more senior roles and accelerate their path to leadership.

Research shows that structured, evidence-based leadership programs significantly enhance women’s career progression, confidence, and senior-level visibility. Building on this, Inkling partnered with Defence and Aurecon to create a learning experience that empowers participants and strategically fosters a more diverse, resilient, and innovative workforce.

Ascend offers participants a developmental journey wherein they uncover and understand their strengths while acquiring tools and techniques to overcome barriers to their success and fulfillment. Ascend also aims to ensure senior leaders play a significant part in driving positive change, as research highlights their influential capacity in removing cultural and structural barriers for underrepresented groups.

A key component of Ascend is its Sponsorship element, wherein participants are matched with senior leaders in their home organisation to engage in active sponsorship activities. This fosters advocacy, strategic acumen, and network expansion among participants.

Through its comprehensive design and collaborative approach, Ascend equips participants with the tools, knowledge, and support necessary to lead inclusively and effectively navigate their leadership journey within their respective organisations.

Ascend participants are empowered with the resilience and capability to confidently lead with success and fulfilment.

Overall, the Ascend program has yielded commendable outcomes. These include a marked improvement in retention rates, a notable enhancement in diversity across leadership roles and project delivery teams, and a significant increase in female representation, both in self-nominations and participation within Defence industry award programs.

Ascend's impact

95%

of Ascend Alumni report they are confident to take the next steps to progress their careers
100%

of Ascend Alumni report they feel confident in their leadership capabilities
71 Program NPS

(Net Promoter Score) indicating overwhelming satisfaction and endorsement from program participants (2020-2023)

"Ascend has really improved my confidence levels and how I see myself as a professional and leader. I came into the program struggling with imposter syndrome, unable to back myself. I have now come away with increased confidence and the tools to effectively advocate for myself and my career."

- 2023 Ascend Participant

"This year, the person I sponsored was full of self-doubt. Her transformation has been incredible and inspirational. She is someone who supports so many people yet doesn't advocate for herself. To see her using the tools she has learned in Ascend and apply them has been incredible."

- 2023 Ascend Sponsor

"Prior to Ascend, I felt inferior and incapable because of differemces between my leadership style and other senior leaders, but Ascend has taught me that yes, I manage differently, but that's OK. We need different approaches, and a diversity of views and opinions. I've changes my mindset from "my input isn't wanted" to " I have value to offer". Thank you Ascend!"

- 2023 Ascend Participant

"I was extremely pleased to see the development of my Sponsee over the course of the program. After having some initial doubts on the program benefits, I believe she has advanced significantly in her own self-development, awareness and overall confidence in day-to-day work and future ambitions. A strong relationship has been formed and I am looking forward to seeing her further develop and advance in the business."

- 2023 Ascend Sponsor

Ascend has created an enduring legacy with long-lasting impacts into the future.

Since its launch in 2020, 116 women across Australia have participated in the Ascend program. Ascend has successfully created an environment where future female leaders collaborate, learn from each other, develop strong supportive networks, and advance the diverse thinking required to solve some of society’s toughest problems.

Looking ahead, the focus for Ascend remains on cultivating strong relationships, advocating for diversity, and empowering leaders to effect tangible progress within Defence and Aurecon.

In recognition of its transformative impact, Ascend was named Best Diversity & Inclusion Program or Initiative at the inaugural Defence Connect Defence and National Security Workforce Awards in 2024. Ascend also received a Silver Brandon Hall Group™ Excellence Award® in the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion awards for Best Leadership Development for Women in 2024. Additionally, Ascend has been awarded Transformation Project of the Year by the Australian Institute of Project Management at the 2022 Project Management Achievement Awards at both State and National level.