Increasing Indigenous engagement is a priority for Blackwoods. Wesfarmers, our parent company, produced its first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in 2009 and in November 2017 released its seventh RAP, setting out what our businesses intend to do to drive towards our goal of a workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities in which we operate.
Wesfarmers have been recognised by Reconciliation Australia as mature in embedding reconciliation, and in 2017 was audited at STRECH level - defined as ‘suited to organisations that have developed strategies, and established a strong approach towards advancing reconciliation internally and within the organisation’s sphere of influence’.
Blackwoods is particularly committed to increasing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team members, suppliers, contractors and the broader community through a wide range of activities:
An Inclusive Workplace
Blackwoods is committed to creating a balanced and inclusive workplace, where our people can do their best and be their best regardless of gender, country of origin, religion, age, or sexual preference. Our commitment is to make our business, including our many locations across the country, a great place to work where everyone is valued for their contribution.
Indigenous Engagement is a significant element of that commitment and for the Blackwoods Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander strategy to be effective and successful it must be inclusive - each of us has a role to play.
From initial online induction and Reconciliation Action Plan introductory learning programs, through to small group face to face Cultural Awareness & Inclusion training sessions, our people learn about our commitment to indigenous engagement throughout their time with the business.
In 2018 over 700 team members participated in Blackwoods interactive face to face Cultural Awareness sessions, with another 1000 also completing online awareness programs. A key priority for us is building a world class, diverse team, and one where suppliers, contractors, service providers and customers, as well as Indigenous and Non Indigenous team members are valued for their contribution.
Blackwoods constantly strives to build strong ties and business engagement with the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander community by working with our suppliers, contractors, service providers and customers to ensure that Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people feel welcome in our business as team members, customers, suppliers and citizens.
Supporting The Fred Hollows Foundation
Blackwoods has been a proud partner of The Fred Hollows Foundation, supporting its Indigenous Australia Program since 2008. We are delighted to have reached the $750,000 donation milestone in 2018, with over $600,000 of that being donated within FY17.
Today, the program is largely driven by the significant contribution created through sales of our exclusive Prosafe eye and face safety range, with a percentage of every purchase from the range going directly to The Fred Hollows Foundation. As total Blackwoods donations specifically towards Indigenous health, near $1 million, many customers are delighted to learn that not only are they receiving comfortable, high quality Prosafe safety products, but that 10% of the value of their purchase is going directly to assisting The Foundation to work within the Indigenous and women's health sector. Many Blackwoods employees also elect to contribute via a formal workplace giving program and fundraising activities.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults are three times more likely to go blind than non-Indigenous Australians, yet 94% of their vision loss is preventable or treatable. The Fred Hollows Foundation works to put an end to these alarming figures by focusing on education, screening and treatment. The Foundation’s Indigenous Australia Program supports increased investment in and access to culturally appropriate eye care services for remote and under-serviced Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Supply Nation
Supply Nation is Australia’s largest National Directory of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander owned and operated businesses. Supply Nation partners with its members, including Blackwoods and Wesfarmers - who are Founding members - to help develop procurement policies and practices, and build relationships to include Indigenous suppliers, service providers and contractors who are traditionally underutilised in the business sector. Originally known as the Australian Minority Supplier Diversity Council, Supply Nation plays an important role in the verification process of Indigenous businesses and also provides ongoing support and opportunities to engage with businesses such as Blackwoods as we look to support the supplier diversity objectives of our customers.
Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF)
Only 34% of Indigenous Year 5 students in very remote areas are at or above national minimum reading standards, compared to 95% for non-Indigenous students in major cities, according to the 2017 National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN).
The situation is improving but there is still a long way to go and the challenges are immense.
Apart from the historical, health, social, and educational disadvantage issues, many remote communities don’t have many, if any, books.
The approach of ILF to raising literacy levels starts at a community level with Book Supply. Appropriate quality books and related resources are gifted to organisations operating in remote communities.
Each time Blackwoods sells a pair of the Sally Morgan designed King Gee Blaze Safety Boot range a donation is made to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. Aboriginal artist and celebrated author Sally Morgan is delighted that her unique design is worn in workplaces all over Australia, as well as contributing to increasing the levels of Indigenous literacy through a Blackwoods and King Gee supported donation.
CareerTrackers University Internships
CareerTrackers is a national non-profit organisation that creates internship opportunities for Indigenous university students.
Leveraging the 45-year legacy of the INROADS African-American internship program in the United States, CareerTrackers has adapted this model to address Indigenous disadvantage throughout Australia.
CareerTrackers supports pre-professional Indigenous university students and links them with private sector employers like Blackwoods, to participate in paid multi-year internships.
Students perform their internship with us with the aim of converting from intern into full-time employee upon completion of their university degree.
Blackwoods has hosted Aboriginal University Interns studying subjects such as Law, Human Resources, Finance, Marketing, Leadership, Medical Science, Physics and Chemistry with early success transitioning graduates into full time employment with the business.
AIME
AIME is a mentoring bridge between university based mentors, corporate mentors, and Aboriginal high school students.
Since the first group of just twenty-five kids, 15,000 Indigenous high school students have now been through the AIME program, helping close the education gap for this group.
With the help of businesses and mentors, more than 75% of AIME kids are heading straight into jobs or university programs.
We are delighted that a small number of outstanding Blackwoods team members have been involved in either AIME student group sessions, Knowledge Forums, or mentoring, helping to deliver hours of extra intensive support to some of the 10,000 Indigenous kids aged 12 – 18 years in the program this year.
Amanda Haddad, Health Safety & Wellbeing Manager for SA/NT (right) recently shared her knowledge and experience at “Theatre of Education” sessions conducted by the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience AIME.
“You can really see the confidence this program builds in our young Indigenous kids” said Amanda
Recently KPMG found that for every dollar invested into AIME, seven were returned into the Australian economy and Blackwoods is delighted to be partnering with AIME.
Our Partnership With Clontarf Foundation
The Clontarf Foundation works to improve the education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men. By doing so, it equips them to participate meaningfully in society. Since opening its first Academy for 25 boys in 2000, the Foundation has grown to cater for over 6,500 boys in 97 schools across Western Australia, Northern Territory, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
Academy activities focus on areas of education, leadership, employment, healthy lifestyles, life skills and football. In order to remain in the programme, participants must continue to work at school and embrace the objectives of the Foundation.
With these mechanisms in place year-to-year retention more than 90% and school attendance rates are greater than 80%. In areas where Clontarf exists there has also been evidence of reduced crime rates in the community.
Upon completing the programme, graduates are helped to find employment, many with Blackwoods. Specialist Employment Officers are engaged to do this and provide support until graduates become comfortable with their new jobs and surroundings.
The Blackwoods involvement includes work experience, site tours, attendance at Clontarf Employment Forums and hosting School Based Traineeships. Blackwoods is also proud to have a growing group of Clontarf Academy Graduates and Alumni working for us full time.
Our Journey Forward
Working together to ensure that Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people feel welcome in our business as team members, customers, suppliers and citizens.
Blackwoods constantly strives to build strong ties and business engagement with the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander community.
When choosing Blackwoods, customers will have their business needs met whilst contributing to many programs and initiatives, which transform the lives of Indigenous Australians.