OUTCO – Empowering Women In The Workplace
OUTCO is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within its workforce. We highlight how OUTCO empowers women in horticulture by providing opportunities for career growth and development. We focus on the success story of Queen Mary’s Place, a prestigious residential estate in London, where a female-led gardening team has excelled in maintaining the grounds.
The Issue
The horticulture industry has traditionally been male-dominated. Women often face challenges finding opportunities to showcase their skills and progress in their careers. This can lead to a lack of qualified female professionals in the field.
The Solution
OUTCO actively seeks to recruit and retain talented women in horticulture. At Queen Mary’s Place, the company took over the grounds maintenance contract in August 2023. The team consisted of Olena Stadyk, a highly skilled head gardener who arrived as a refugee from war-torn Ukraine, and Katrina Dudkina, a local resident with a passion for gardening. OUTCO recognised their potential and provided them with the necessary support to succeed.
The Result
Olena and Katrina have formed a strong working partnership. Their dedication and expertise have resulted in a significant improvement in the appearance and upkeep of the Queen Mary’s Place grounds. Their efforts have been praised by both the client, FirstPort Limited, and the independent third-party surveyors. The success story at Queen Mary’s Place demonstrates OUTCO’s commitment to empowering women in horticulture. By providing opportunities, training, and support, OUTCO is helping to create a more diverse and inclusive industry. This not only benefits the company but also ensures a wider pool of talent for the future.
Arjuna Arora, Development Manager at FirstPort Limited, states, “Olena and Katrina have displayed an outstanding level of professionalism and expertise… Their hard work and commitment to excellence have significantly contributed to enhancing the beauty and upkeep of our grounds.”
Arjuna Arora, Development Manager at FirstPort Limited, states, “Olena and Katrina have displayed an outstanding level of professionalism and expertise… Their hard work and commitment to excellence have significantly contributed to enhancing the beauty and upkeep of our grounds.”
Olena herself highlights the importance of her work, saying, “There is no limit on what I want to continue to learn and achieve. I would like to be seen as a ‘new-breeze’ in the industry with a defined level of standards and work.”
Olena herself highlights the importance of her work, saying, “There is no limit on what I want to continue to learn and achieve. I would like to be seen as a ‘new-breeze’ in the industry with a defined level of standards and work.”
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