Serco has released its new Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2022-2024, during NAIDOC Week, reinforcing its commitment to supporting positive outcomes for First Nations peoples, communities and organisations.
Recently approved by Reconciliation Australia, Serco’s third consecutive RAP outlines and expands upon the company’s vision to advocate for, and along with, First Nations people.
The launch of this RAP comes as Serco celebrates NAIDOC Week with a host of activities and events planned across the business.
Serco Asia Pacific CEO, Peter Welling said this RAP demonstrates our commitment to partnering with First Nations peoples to create a more equitable future.
“Serco is committed to being meaningful partner in reconciliation by instilling a shared pride in First Nations’ cultures, providing culturally safe and sustainable employment and education opportunities, making workplaces inclusive through language, representation and policy, and fostering an environment of belonging,” Peter said.
“At Serco, we know that diversity is our strength. It helps us to understand, to innovate and ultimately, better meet the diverse needs of the communities we serve. We recognise that as one team, we are stronger, which is why our new RAP is so important.”
Based around the core pillars of relationships, respect and opportunities, RAPs provide tangible and substantive benefits for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by increasing economic equity and supporting self-determination.
One way Serco continues to support these pillars is by engaging with more First Nations businesses.
Last year, Serco increased its annual procurement spend on First Nations owned businesses by 53 per cent, an additional $2 million investment.
Most recently, Serco engaged Wirrigan Business Services (WBS), for the provision of office supplies.
Wirrigan Group Managing Director, John McNamara said Wirrigan Business Services are incredibly pleased to have the largest First Nations contract with Serco.
“We look forward to building on our invaluable relationship with Serco through their ongoing commitment to First Nations businesses, which will also allow WBS to continue to grow, supporting First Nations economic development,” John said.
“Serco has the ability to play an important role in supporting the development of companies like Wirrigan Business Services who are now able to employ more First Nations people and expand the business into exciting new areas,” Peter said.
Additionally, Serco recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gadi Employment Services for the delivery of commercial cleaning services, creating sustainable career outcomes and avenues of empowerment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
As part of the MoU, Serco and Gadi Employment Services will work together to identify career opportunities for First Nations people by supporting development, upskilling, and promoting pathways into leadership roles.
Gadi Employment Services Managing Director, Matt White said the partnership between Gadi and Serco is a rare and genuine opportunity that provides mutually beneficial outcomes for all involved.
“As an Indigenous start up business, subcontracting opportunities coupled with business mentoring by Serco will allow Gadi to develop into a sustainable business that is fully committed to Indigenous Employment while working towards economic equality for the Aboriginal Community,” Matt said.
Since their last RAP, Serco has strengthened Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ engagement and participation in the business by:
- introducing the ‘First Nations Employment Hub’, an employment and mentoring scheme for long-term unemployed, new entrants to the workforce or people seeking a new career path. This pathway provides individuals with mentoring, training, and study opportunities to build skills and promote internal progression towards senior roles.
- doubling supply chain spend on First Nations-owned and operated businesses.
- appointing an Indigenous Programs Manager to deliver new approaches to achieving RAP goals.
- promoting cultural safety for staff and those in our care by implementing Cultural Awareness training and employing Cultural Advisors at key contracts.
Having developed many successful initiatives during the first two RAPs, Serco now has the confidence to strive for even greater goals through a wider scope of activities, including implementing new employment, purchasing, and community support programs.
“I am proud of our journey so far and am motivated by the progress we can, and must make, through the commitments in this and future Reconciliation Action Plans,” Peter said.
View Serco’s new Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2022-2024 or to learn more about a partnership with Serco, contact us at [email protected]
You can also visit our First Nations People Careers page.