“Development” and “personal growth” of our employees aren’t just words at Dow. They are the guiding principles that drive the learning opportunities we provide for our people. That’s because we know the success of our company ultimately lies with our employees and their career progression. We are also committed to providing our employees with the right tools, educational support and mentors to help them flourish and grow to lead our company in a global marketplace.

Dow offers an integrated global curriculum that incorporates diversity and inclusion training for employees at all levels. From new hire orientation to mandated training for new leaders, diversity and inclusion training gives our employees the tools to cultivate an inclusive work environment at Dow. This holistic approach is crucial in laying the groundwork for our unique culture.

Many Dow employees also need to be comfortable and adept in a variety of cultural environments. To this end, Dow provides cross-cultural training so that our people can effectively collaborate across societal lines within the company and do business with people of different backgrounds, customs and cultures.

Dow also supports and encourages employees to use mentors to help them plot their career progression. By working with a mentor, we believe employees can gain new perspectives about their position and work environment. Mentors also provide information, support and coaching, act as role models, and otherwise help our employees develop professionally.

Facts and Stats

• In 2006, Dow employees around the world completed more than 570,000 courses via web-based learning and employees spent an average of 44 hours learning throughout the year.
  
  
• All new people leaders at Dow receive 16 hours of Diversity and Inclusion training.
  
  
• To date, approximately six Executive Leadership Team members and more than 20 percent of Dow’s global leadership family (top 200 leaders) have led a Diversity Forum session.
  
  
• In March of 2007, Dow’s Diversity & Inclusion Forums received an Honorable Mention in PRNews’ Corporate Social Responsibility Awards in the Diversity Communications category.

“We have to put people of diverse cultures, of different ethnicities and genders in roles at all levels of the company. Because people want to see an organization that has shown, has demonstrated, that they can be accepted and they can be successful in it.”
George Hamilton
General Manager, Coatings