On Sunday 8 March, Programmed will join millions of people around the world in recognising International Women’s Day.
International Women’s Day is a moment to celebrate the achievements of women, acknowledge the work still to be done, and reaffirm our shared responsibility to build workplaces where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
This year’s global theme, Give to Gain, resonates strongly with who we are as a business. At its heart, Give to Gain reminds us that when we give our time, support, advocacy, opportunity or encouragement to others, we create momentum that benefits us all.
Stories that shape how we lead
To mark International Women’s Day this year, I’m proud to share our Give To Gain: Stories from Programmed and PERSOL Leaders initiative.
Across the business, our leaders have shared personal reflections on the moments that shaped how they lead today - the challenges they’ve faced, the mentors who supported them, the barriers broken, and the lessons learned along the way. These stories are honest, thoughtful and inspiring. They remind us that leadership is not only about achievement, but also about impact, and who we lift as we climb.
I encourage you to take the time to read these stories and reflect on what Give to Gain means for you. You can explore them by clicking below.
Give to Gain in action
Across our Maintenance, Staffing and Corporate divisions, we continue to build a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace where our people feel valued and supported. Diversity strengthens how we work, how we deliver for our customers, and how we connect with the communities we serve.
We measure our progress against clear diversity and inclusion outcomes to ensure we remain accountable as our workforce grows and evolves. In 2026, our focus remains on improving representation across all areas of diversity - expanding opportunity, improving accessibility, and embedding fair and inclusive employment practices in every part of our business.
Creating opportunity across every division
Our mentoring program is a powerful example of Give to Gain in action.
Since launching as a pilot in late 2023, we have fostered five intakes and 72 mentoring connections across Maintenance and Corporate, spanning all regions and states. The outcomes demonstrate the impact of investing in one another, with 21% of participants being promoted since taking part in the program.
Across all of our divisions, we see this principle come to life every day through traineeships, apprenticeships, and employment pathways that open doors for women in traditionally underrepresented industries.
In our Staffing division, women are stepping into roles in road construction, infrastructure maintenance, administration and financial services. Through structured traineeships, hands-on experience and strong site support, more women are building skills, confidence and long-term careers.
We have also seen the life-changing impact of opportunity through employment pathways that support women rebuilding their lives and re-entering the workforce. When we give someone belief, advocacy and access to meaningful work, the gain is personal and transformational as well as professional.
At the same time, our commitment to developing future leaders remains strong. Through Staffing’s Emerging Leaders Program, women represented 70% of the most recent cohort - a powerful reflection of both the ambition of women across our organisation and our commitment to ensuring leadership pathways are accessible and equitable.
By supporting women early in their leadership journey, we are strengthening our future pipeline and shaping a leadership culture that is inclusive, modern and representative of our workforce.
Building our future and the next generation
When we invest in one another’s development, we support individual growth while strengthening our entire organisation.
Across Maintenance we now have 256 apprentices, with women representing 18% of that cohort - a figure we are committed to growing as we continue to challenge traditional industry norms and create opportunity for the next generation.
These divisions and Corporate are also continuing to build future pathways into our industry. This year, we welcomed new interns across Marketing, Project Management, Business Analysis, Finance & Commercial, Health & Safety, and Engineering, reinforcing our commitment to developing emerging talent through structured programs like our Graduate Program.
For International Women’s Day 2026, our Facility Management VIC/TAS & Utilities team took the opportunity to share how they’ll personally commit to promoting inclusivity and opportunity in their own words. Check out what they had to say in the video below.
You can help start a similar conversation with your teams and find out even more about the importance of this day using our International Women’s Day Toolbox Talk linked below.
As I reflect on the women who have shaped my own perspective, I’m reminded that progress is never accidental. It happens because people choose to act - to speak up, to sponsor talent, to create opportunity, and to build environments where others feel safe to contribute fully.
Today, and every day, I ask each of you to consider: What can you give in 2026 that will help someone else gain? Because when one person grows at Programmed, we all move forward.
Happy International Women’s Day.
Take care and stay safe,
Graeme Hurn
Chief Executive Officer
Programmed