shape australia reflect reconciliation action plan (rap)€¦ · 2 reflect reconciliation action...

1 Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan

SHAPE AUSTRALIA

Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) September 2017 - September 2018


Jeremy Donovan’s

journey to this

point has been one

of challenge and

adversity but also

one of celebrated

accomplishment.

The diversity of

his own personal

experiences equips Jeremy with the unique ability to

inspire and connect with people from a vast range of

backgrounds from remote communities to the highest

levels of bureaucracy and business.

He speaks from a high level of individual experience

and expertise in the field of Indigenous disparity and

is motivated by a true passion to elevate the lives of

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The culture

and the wisdom of this country does not belong to us

as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people, it belongs

to US as Australians.

Jeremy ‘Yongurra’ Donovan is a proud Kuku-Yalanji man

with family connections to several other language groups.

After working as the Spokesperson and National

Development Director for GenerationOne, in 2014 Jeremy

was appointed as Chief Executive Officer, to lead the

campaign to end the disparity through employment.

In September 2015, Jeremy stood down as Chief

Executive of GenerationOne to pursue the growth of his

own business ‘Walking With Wisdom’ a consultancy that

engages with Government, Corporate and Community.

Jeremy is also an accomplished and published artist,

musician and poet. He has spoken and performed

extensively throughout Australia and the world at some

of the most prestigious International venues and events.

Jeremy chose to paint SHAPE’s artwork from our

St Leonards office in Sydney so that he could get

a sense of who we are, and how we undertake our

work. The finished artwork is a representation of

many people coming together, to build great spaces.

ARTIST JEREMY DONOVAN


The gulf between Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander and other Australians remains wide. SHAPE Australia is committed to progressing reconciliation and closing the gap on Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander disadvantage.

SHAPE’s operations span mainland Australia giving it unique reach and potential to grow its understanding of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples and take a leadership role on the reconciliation journey with our clients and subcontractors.

We are a genuine source and promoter of greater opportunity with a focus on employment and career progression. We will be proactive to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to join us and are supported as employees.

Our RAP will provide a framework for actions and accountability for our organisation and our people.

To progress these aims SHAPE will engage with its people nationally and external organisations to:

• Gain an understanding of the level of Aboriginal& Torres Strait Islander awareness within the companyand undertake actions to increase this.

• Learn what our people feel SHAPE can do to advancethe goals of reconciliation and develop initiatives thatrespond to these aspirations,

STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT

• Understand best practice Aboriginal & Torres StraitIslander contracting and procurement methodologies,

• Investigate Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanderemployment, training and mentoring strategies,

• Look to establish an Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islandercadet and mentoring programme,

• Establish ways of engaging in practical, respectful andmutually beneficial ways with Aboriginal & Torres StraitIslander communities, and,

• Play a role in advancing the economic independenceof Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughour employment and procurement practices.

We will implement a robust reporting and accountability process that ensures our actions are relevant, authentic and effective, and we will communicate our progress and learnings to our staff, our management and our industry clients and partners.

I am delighted to share SHAPE’s commitment as we strive to be an instigator of change.

Peter Marix Evans CEO


SHAPE is Australia’s leading fitout and refurbishment specialist, delivering projects both large and small for Government, Public and Private organisations.

With a focus on collaboration and zero disruption to business operations, SHAPE brings a partnership approach to project delivery to ensure the journey is enjoyable for all stakeholders. This results in high quality projects across a variety of commercial sectors, including office, hotels, education, healthcare, specialty and retail.

OUR BUSINESS

SHAPE currently employs 330 staff nationally and has two employees that identify themselves as Aboriginal Australians.

SHAPE is a national business with offices in each mainland state and territory, enabling SHAPE to operate with a truly national focus.

SHAPE delivers projects in both metropolitan and regional areas giving us a vast geographic reach.

Some of our major clients include Qantas, Westpac, Commonwealth Bank, IBM, Ramsay Healthcare, Australia Post, National Australia Bank, Australian Catholic University, Department of Defence and Australian Federal Police.


SHAPE has a vision of Australia where there are equal opportunities for all.

We want to make a real contribution to reconciliation in Australia and do our part to close the economic, social and health gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the broader Australian community.

Through the process of developing a RAP, we will create a workplace which understands and values Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultures and their role as the original custodians of the land we share.

We can help our people to develop their knowledge of our shared history and to celebrate the varied and rich cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.

We are excited about the positive benefits that the RAP journey will provide for our people and our business, and we look forward to implementing strategic and authentic actions which will make a positive contribution to reconciliation and the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through the genuine relationships and sustainable employment opportunities that will be the focus of our RAP.

What is our organisations reconciliation journey to date?

In early 2016, our then CEO Michael Barnes had meetings with David Liddiard from Indigenous Advisory company, the David Liddiard Group, to discuss the development of a RAP for the organisation. An awareness of the need to be more inclusive as an organisation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples among our staff, and the developing awareness of the disparity of socio economic indicators including employment, between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians, prompted the search for a way to address this in a positive way through the business.

In addition, the awareness of the Indigenous Procurement Policy (July 2015) as a key initiative by the Australian Government to increase participation of Indigenous Australians in employment and procurement created a need to understand how SHAPE could play a role and respond more fully to the requirements and the spirit of the policy.

In November 2016, we established a RAP working group to help develop our action plan with the assistance of the David Liddiard Group.

OUR RAP

Who champions our RAP internally?

A RAP review group was formed and includes representatives from across the business and from each SHAPE office. It includes one staff member who identifies as Aboriginal. This group will lead the RAP development to its launch.

The David Liddiard Group was invited to assist and advise us, and to facilitate the development of our RAP document.

Our greatest champion of the RAP is our CEO Michael Barnes. Our RAP group is made up of committed, enthusiastic and energetic staff who all regard themselves as RAP champions at their SHAPE state office.

Who was involved in the development of our RAP?

Andrea Harms Director, David Liddiard Group

Michael Barnes CEO

Leah Collins Estimator NSW

Gary Anderson GE Sales and Marketing

Shane Morgan Manager – Procurement

Patrice Simpson Marketing Communications Manager

Peter Lutomski National Projects Director and GM – DLG SHAPE

Peter Marix-Evans Chief Operating Officer

Kate Evans GE People and Culture

Brandon Blundell Building Cadet

Jodie Pitcher Client Development Manager


We look forward to developing stronger personal relationships and also formal partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and it is likely that the springboard for these relationships in the Reflect RAP phase will be through the Aboriginal owned businesses with which we already engage. There are currently twelve Aboriginal owned businesses that are potential and current subcontractors to SHAPE.

In Canberra, we have a commercial relationship with an Aboriginal owned business ‘Arrow FM’ that is contracted regularly to undertake electrical work for SHAPE in the ACT, in addition to an Aboriginal owned business that does sign writing.

In Victoria, we have established relationships with Aboriginal students at Deakin University where we have delivered contracted work.

We are engaging with Print Nation an Aboriginal owned print business in SA and also Tandanya, an Aboriginal cultural centre in Adelaide that provides catering to the SHAPE office in Adelaide and potentially cultural awareness sessions.

PARTNERSHIPS/ CURRENT ACTIVITIES

We have also made a connection with Supply Nation to increase our links to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses, and are currently exploring potential procurement from:

• Muru Group Office Supplies;

• Integrity First Aid;

• Birubi Australia Pty Ltd for trades and labour hire of workers;

• Wallawa (bathroom amenities) – use as part of handover gifts;

• Bondi Water – introduce to work sites; and

• SM Contractors for carpet laying.


RELATIONSHIPS

Action Deliverable Timeline Responsibility

Establish a RAP Working Group

Form a RAP Working Group that is operational to support the development of our RAP, comprising: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and decision-making staff from across our organisation, representatives from our current group of Aboriginal subcontractors and representatives from each of SHAPE’s state offices.

July 2017 CEO

Meet at least twice per year to monitor and report on the RAP implementation.

Aug 2017 and Mar 2018

CEO

Develop a RAP terms of reference for the RAP Group. August 2017 GE People and Culture

Build internal and external relationships

Each state office to develop a list of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organisations within our local area or sphere of influence from which we could select several to approach to connect with on our reconciliation journey.

Sept 2017 State General Managers

Research other organisations in our industry who have developed a RAP and identify several to connect with for feedback, advice and share their learnings with us for our RAP journey.

Sept 2017 Procurement Manager

Invite current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander subcontractors and businesses to meet informally with SHAPE staff and share their personal and business development stories.

October 2017 State General Managers

Create an awareness of NRW and promote participation in NRW events by SHAPE staff

Our staff at each of our offices to host a NRW event involving SHAPE personnel and local Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander community, business or agency representatives sharing their story or details of their work.

27 May- 3 June 2018

Estimator NSW

Circulate Reconciliation Australia’s NRW resources and reconciliation materials to our staff to raise awareness of the significance of the event.

February 2018 Marketing and Communications Manager

Promote attendance of SHAPE staff at wider community NRW activities and implement a strategy for capturing and sharing feedback on these activities across the organisation.

May 2018 Marketing and Communications Manager

Raise awareness of our RAP amongst our staff and clients nationally

Develop and implement a communication strategy to raise awareness amongst all staff across the organisation about our reasons for developing a RAP and our RAP commitments.

July 2017 GE Sales Manager & GE People and Culture

Develop and implement a plan to engage and inform all of our personnel of our specific RAP actions and any specific responsibility around actions and outcomes.

August 2017 Marketing and Communications Manager & GE People and Culture

Raise external awareness of our RAP with our clients through inviting them to our RAP launch and sharing information and learnings about their activities that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses as subcontractors.

July 2017 Marketing and Communications Manager & GE People and Culture


RESPECT


1. Investigate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders cultural learning and development

Develop a plan for increasing the awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and achievements within our organisation.

September 2017

Procurement

Undertake a survey to measure progress of our staff’s level of knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and achievement compared to our original (2016) survey.

March 2018

GE People and Culture

Each office location to plan and undertake one event in each calendar year that supports the understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and history for staff at that location.

April 2018

State General Managers

2.Participate in and celebrate NAIDOC Week

Raise awareness and share information amongst our staff of the meaning of NAIDOC Week using RA materials on the RA website www.reconciliation.org.au.

March 2018

GE People and Culture, Estimator

Introduce our staff to NAIDOC Week by promoting attendance at community events in each local area.

July 2018

GE People and Culture, Estimator

Encourage the RAP Working Group members to participate in an external NAIDOC Week event.

July 2018

CEO

Hold a morning tea in each state office with native produce and Aboriginal community representatives.

July 2018

Client Development Manager

3.Raise internal understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols

Explore who the Traditional Owners are of the lands and waters in each local area of the SHAPE state offices and acknowledge this through a plaque at each state office location.

September 2017

National Business Development Manager

Find and circulate information about the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities at each of the SHAPE office locations.

October 2017

COO

Develop and implement a plan to raise awareness and understanding of the meaning and significance behind Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country protocols.

October 2017

CEO

Encourage all SHAPE personnel to upload the ‘Welcome to County app (WEL2Country) onto their electronic devices.

August 2017


Promote and encourage staff to use Reconciliation Australia’s resource ‘Share our Pride’ as a cultural awareness development opportunity.

July 2017



OPPORTUNITIES


1.Investigate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment and participation in SHAPE contracts

Promote the commitment of SHAPE to increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment within our organisation to increase staff awareness and gain organisational support.

December 2017


Identify current Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander staff and seek their feedback and input on the development of a strategy for increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment in SHAPE.

February 2018

COO

Review HR and Recruitment processes and make recommendations that support greater participation and employment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees throughout SHAPE.

December 2017


2.Investigate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander supplier diversity

Develop a list of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander potential suppliers, including those we already do business with in each state office and circulate throughout our business.

October 2017

Procurement Manager

Develop a process and a criteria list to identify five new suppliers nationally and/or locally to increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander procurement within our business nationally.

November 2017

Procurement Manager

3.Increase SHAPE’s awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses

Explore potential business membership of Supply Nation. December 2017

Procurement Manager

Identify companies that align with our core business that employ a significant number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers and engage with them to explore potential business opportunities.

December 2017

GE Sales and Marketing


GOVERNANCE AND TRACKING PROGRESS


1.Build support for the RAP

Define resource needs for RAP development and implementation.

July 2017

CEO

Define systems and capability needed to track, measure and report on RAP activities.

September 2017

CEO

Report RAP outcomes to SHAPE personnel and senior management

October Annually

CEO

Complete the annual RAP Impact Measurement Questionnaire and submit to Reconciliation Australia.

Annually GE People and Culture

2.Review and Refresh RAP

Liaise with Reconciliation Australia to develop a new RAP based on learnings, challenges and achievements.

May 2018

CEO

Submit draft RAP to Reconciliation Australia for review. June 2018

CEO

Submit draft RAP to Reconciliation Australia for formal endorsement.

July 2018

CEO


KATE EVANS Group Executive People & Culture

P 02 8987 4201

M 0421 993 601

W www.shapegroup.com.au

Level 4, 29 Christie Street, St Leonards, NSW, 2065

CONTACT DETAILS

http://shapegroup.com.au/

shape australia reflect reconciliation action plan (rap)€¦ · 2 reflect reconciliation action...

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