Social enterprise sets standard for workforce diversity

By Mary Bolling

A CQUniversity research project is showcasing diverse workforces in Queensland’s social enterprises and setting a new standard for inclusive employment in business and industry. 

The groundbreaking work with Queensland Social Enterprise Council (QSEC) informs Diverse Workforces, a new online resource launched at CQUniversity Brisbane on June 5. 

Social enterprises leaders who had participated in the research, CQUniversity lead researcher and Sustainable Innovation academic Professor Olav Muurlink, and QSEC CEO Adele Laughton all presented at the event. 

Ms Laughton said the Diverse Workforces project highlighted the huge benefits of supportive, inclusive workplaces. 

“This is a practical new resource championing inclusive employment across all sectors, with social enterprise leading the way,” she said.

“A diverse team isn’t just good for society – it’s great for business. 

“Bringing together people from different backgrounds, skills and experiences helps organisations connect with more customers, solve problems creatively and adapt to change - and in this project we’ve heard that time and again from our social enterprise leaders and employees." 

CQU Office of Social Innovation Program Manager Steve Williams worked with social enterprises to develop the resource case studies. 

“This project has shown just how life-changing a job in a social enterprise can be for people who have been shut out of traditional roles…but more than that, it highlights that all employers can apply these inclusive, supportive practices in their workplaces and it won’t just benefit the person who takes a new role,” Mr Williams said.

At the launch, CEO of Toowoomba’s Ability Enterprises Claire Torkington and General Manager of Brisbane-based Fruit2Work Simon Fenech, both shared their experiences for the research, and in case studies for the Diverse Workforces platform. 

Prof Muurlink’s report Managing Workforce Diversity: Social Enterprises as an Exemplar, written with Office of Social Innovation researcher Ruby Smith, explores how social enterprises lead the way in creating inclusive and successful workplaces.

CQUniversity’s Office of Social Innovation led the project, connecting with social enterprise leaders and workers across Queensland. 

The platform features resources and case studies with Fruit2Work and Ability Enterprises, as well as Impact Community Services (Bundaberg) and Indigenous-owned enterprises Bama (Cairns). 

CQUniversity is Australia’s first and only social enterprise university, certified by national peak body Social Traders.

Learn more about Social Innovation at CQUniversity.