Women’s Month: Women rising, futures growing

Rising together: empowered women, empowered futures

At RCL FOODS, we don’t see empowerment as a buzzword, we see it as action. As opportunity. As support that’s felt and purpose that’s shared. When women rise, businesses move forward and so do the communities around them. Across RCL FOODS, women are building careers, breaking barriers, and discovering purpose, supported by real changes that drive real impact.

One powerful movement: the Women Empowerment Series

Launched recently and already reaching approximately 390 women across diverse business units in RCL FOODS, the Women Empowerment Series has become a movement. Created to spark reflection, growth, and real connection, this six-month programme, with two-hour monthly workshops, goes beyond skills training to create safe spaces for connection, self-belief, and mutual support. It focuses on three pillars — mental, financial, and relationship wellness.

What began as a workshop has become a catalyst for change. Where women lift each other, leadership shows up in new forms, and growth is both personal and professional. Sometimes all it takes is the right space to realise just how far you can go.

Learnerships that open doors

RCL FOODS believes that talent should never go unseen and potential should never go unsupported. That’s why we’ve created a range of career-shifting learnerships designed to equip women with the skills, confidence, and visibility to grow.

Our NQF5 Generic Management Learnership, delivered in partnership with Optimum Learning Technologies, welcomed 7 exceptional female delegates who have now completed the one-year programme. From building strong business foundations to communication and operations to decision-making and leadership. It’s enabling women to step into supervisory and management roles with confidence and clarity.

Our NQF5 Business Administration Learnership supported 28 women in developing strong administrative capability while building the confidence and career ambition to keep rising. And these are just two examples. Across the business, multiple learnerships are driving progress. Giving women the tools to lead, the skills to grow, and the belief that they belong at the table.

Skilled and seen: women in trades

In fields where women have long been underrepresented, we’re helping to change the narrative and the numbers. In July 2025, a new generation of tradeswomen, aged 26 – 31, graduated from our Apprenticeship Programme. Over three years, they gained technical expertise and real-world experience in trades such as electrical, boiler making, instrumentation, and fitting and turning. Beyond skills, they developed the confidence to demonstrate that women belong in these traditionally male-dominated fields, changing perceptions and inspiring others.

Since 2009, 58 women have completed our Sugar & Milling Apprenticeship Programmes: 8 Boilermakers, 13 Electricians, 17 Fitters, 9 Instrument Mechanicians, 7 Millwrights, and 4 Automotive Mechanics. Some now hold permanent roles at RCL FOODS; others have taken their skills into the broader industry.

But this story goes beyond tools and trades. These women are reshaping perceptions and proving that skill has no gender and that leadership can wear a hard hat.

Leadership starts with voice: the Dale Carnegie experience

Confidence, clarity, connection. These are the foundations of great leadership. That’s why a group of 28 women from across RCL FOODS were selected to participate in the globally respected Dale Carnegie Human Relations & Effective Speaking course.

In this immersive, three-day experience, participants strengthened their communication skills, learned to lead with emotional intelligence, and built the kind of presence that moves people and teams forward.

The result? More visible leadership. Stronger collaboration. And voices that carry both weight and intention across every level of the business.

The journey forward

This Women’s Month, we celebrate what women have achieved and what is still possible. We honour those who’ve stepped into their potential and those still rising.

We recognise that true empowerment is ongoing, and it happens in every corner of our business. In big moments and everyday decisions.

Let’s celebrate the women who rise boldly, powerfully and together. Because when women rise, we all rise.