Transport for Wales’ all deaf team wins national award for diversity initiative
The Application Support team at Transport for Wales, all of which are deaf or hard of hearing, have been recognised as winners at the CIPD Awards in Wales 2024.
The team of four took home the accolade for Best Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative at the seventh annual awards ceremony, acknowledged by judges for collaborating with an advocacy group to inform their approach to diversity.
Supporting the finance department, the App Support Team communicates with each other by using sign language and utilising the functions of Microsoft Teams to raise purchasing orders, collect project information and test systems for upgrades.
Transport for Wales also consulted with The Council for Deaf People to embrace a diversity model to create employment opportunities for those who are deaf or hard of hearing, and the company has worked to make its office environment more accessible by providing the team with vibrating pagers to safeguard their wellbeing.
These initiatives have not only helped make the organisation more inclusive for its deaf employees but have had a positive impact on company culture and team behaviours – showing that equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives benefit all employees and improves the performance of organisations as a whole.
Karlijn Asveld, Senior Finance Business Partner at Transport for Wales, said: “We’re very proud that we’ve been able to establish a team at Transport for Wales that is made up of people who are deaf or have hearing difficulties. We’ve ensured that our office set up allows them to sit together so they are able to support and communicate with each other but also engage with the wider team.
Rhys Hiscock, an Application Support team member with hearing difficulties, added: “I’m extremely proud to be part of the Application Support Team. It has provided me and others with a safe space to grow, learn vocational skills and fulfil our potential. Transport for Wales has helped build my confidence and provided me with a working environment where I am a dependable and functional team member.”
Transport for Wales was recognised alongside over 80 finalists across nine categories in this year’s awards which saw a record number of entries and the toughest competition to date.
Lesley Richards, head of the CIPD in Wales, said: “HR and people development directly influences the successful operation of every business and are integral to championing employee progress and retaining talent – which has been particularly challenging in recent years as our sector like many others have dealt with shrinking budgets and difficulties with recruitment. Transport for Wales have proven to be an excellent example of the difference that HR and people practices can make.”
The CIPD Awards in Wales 2024 were sponsored by: Welsh Government, Skylite, Monmouthshire Building, ALS Training, SSCL, Cardiff Business School, The 2024 CIPD Wales awards were sponsored by: Welsh Government, Skylite, Monmouthshire Building, ALS Training, SSCL, Cardiff Business School, Hugh James, Moxie People, Human Resourcing, Paul Harris, and Hoop Human Resources.
The winners of The CIPD Awards in Wales 2024 are:
Category | Winner |
Best Change Management Initiative | Winner: Health Education and Improvement Wales with Aneurin Bevan UHB
Highly Commended: Coastal Housing |
Best Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative | Winner (public sector): Transport for Wales
Winner (private sector): Wales and West Utilities Highly commended: Office for National Statistics |
Best HR Consultant / Consultancy | Winner (consultant): Amy Foat-Smith
Winner (consultancy): Insight HRC with CSA Catapult |
Best In House Team | Winner (small employer): Ogi
Winner (large employer): Coleg y Cymoedd |
Best L&D / OD Initiative |
Winner (fewer than 300 employees): Resolution at Work
Winner (over 300 employees): BBC Wales Cymru Highly commended: Coleg Gwent |
Best Resourcing and Talent Management Initiative | Winner: Shared Services Connected Ltd with the Home Office |
Best Wellbeing Initiative | Winner (large): Pobl Group
Winner (small): Awen Cultural Trust Special Award awarded to: Julie Grabham for the JGHR Pledge |
Excellence in HR Leadership | Winner: Cathryn Sims, Creditsafe
Highly commended: Lisa Hand, Ogi |
Rising Star of the People Profession | Winner: Phil Hawkins, Credit Safe
Highly commended: Jessica Davies, DVLA |
Outstanding contribution to the work of the CIPD in Wales | Caroline Belasco
Peter Kennedy |
Outstanding contribution in the field of people development in Wales | Paul Harris |
For more information on The CIPD Awards in Wales, visit: www.cipdwalesawards.co.uk