A Queenstown-based company which is now New Zealand's biggest maritime training employer after the Navy was last night named the Diversity Awards New Zealand Supreme Award winner.
The award was presented to Real Journeys in Auckland last night.
Real Journeys, which operates TSS Earnslaw, cruises in Doubtful and Milford Sounds and the Stewart Island ferries, has introduced a scheme to use launch masters nearing retirement to formally train and informally mentor the next generation of skippers.
Diversity Works NZ chief executive Bev Cassidy-Mackenzie said the initiative provided solutions for both older and younger members of the company's workforce.
It had given the older workers a valuable role in passing on their skills, and created opportunities for younger workers to gain qualifications and progress their jobs into a career.
''Real Journeys is not just learning about diversity and inclusion, it's living it every day as part of its operation.
''The company is exposing visitors to some of the most beautiful parts of our country to an inclusive workplace culture in action.
''They are deserving winners and prove that diversity and inclusion is not solely the domain of corporations based in big cities. It's alive and well in heartland New Zealand.''
This was the 20th year of the awards, which recognise and celebrate New Zealand businesses and organisations championing diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Real Journeys also won Tomorrow's Workforce Award.
