Serco and Clontarf, paving the way for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
Published: 10 Oct 2024

Serco is honoured to grow our partnership with the Clontarf Foundation in 2024, providing $100,000 to support students in Clontarf Academies across Australia.
Serco has worked closely with the Clontarf Foundation to improve the education and employment outcomes of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men since 2020 and we’re proud to continue this great progress.
Serco J&I Managing Director, Michael Strickland said Serco’s ongoing support of the Clontarf Foundation will see this year’s financial contribution go directly into the running of the 158 academies across Australia.
“Serco’s partnership in 2023 saw $50,000 injected into programs and this year we are proud to have been able to double that amount and provide support to more than 11,000 Clontarf academy members,” Mr Strickland said.
“I have personally seen the positive impact of Clontarf’s academies, with several of their members graduating and becoming valued trainees and apprentices within Serco. We hope the continuation of this important partnership will see more opportunities for education and employment pathways for all Clontarf academy members.”
Serco AsPac National Manager Indigenous Affairs & Connection, Andrew Bartha has been leading the way in student engagement with the Clontarf Academies helping students build their social skills, confidence and increase their understanding of the opportunities available to them.
“There is nothing more important to our young people than feeling supported and valued as they transition through from the teenage years to adulthood,’ said Mr Bartha.
“I work with the students to help them understand what it means to be part of culturally safe places and communities where First Nations peoples are empowered to be their true selves. I am honoured in my role to connect and show them the impact positive relationships can have on their personal journeys.”
Clontarf Foundation CEO Gerard Neesham agrees the key to the success of this ongoing partnership is the engaging interactions between Serco staff and the students at the academies.
“Since we first took a group to visit one of Serco’s major sites in 2020, there has been dedication from Serco staff to be actively involved in the lives and journeys of our academy members,’ Mr Neesham said.
“With Serco providing a boost in funding to our academies combined with their staff being involved in breakfasts, training programmes, award nights and regional carnivals we are on a path to success. The opportunities for our academy members to interact with new people, places and situations is key to achieving positive outcomes.”
The partnership which runs throughout 2024 and 2025 will see Serco continue to support opportunities with academy students to build relationships, break down barriers, reduce stereotyping and enable positive interactions across the community.
Read moreSerco First Nations initiatives
Over the past 12 months, Serco has made great progress towards advancing our First Nations initiatives including, announcing our Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), establishing ‘Kanyini’ our voluntary First Nations colleague community network, and actively supporting First Nation businesses through our procurement spending.
Our new Stretch RAP is a commitment to building bridges, fostering understanding, and creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and heard. It continues our vision for reconciliation as equality for First Nations peoples, where cultural protection is embedded within our service delivery.
‘Kanyini’, our voluntary First Nations Colleague Community network, meets regularly to yarn on what matters to them and provide support for each other. The group is also consulted on First Nations issues across the business.
In 2023, we spent over $7.9 million on First Nations procurement, supporting industrial capability and promotion of the visibility of First Nations businesses.
We are also proud to be the major sponsor of the Bundjalung men’s team at this year’s Koori Knockout, after a successful sponsorship of the Newcastle All Blacks U/17 team last year. This will support the team's participation in the knockout and allow us to partner with them in supporting local communities.
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