Award for commitment to Indigenous Australians
Leading engineering, sciences and project delivery firm, Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) is proud to advise that for the second time in three years, it has been selected as the winner of the Employment and Inclusion of Indigenous Australians award – Large Employer Division, at the Diversity @ Work awards held in Melbourne on Thursday 15 October.
The Diversity @ Work Awards recognise and reward the efforts of individuals, teams and organisations who encourage diversity and inclusion in their workplace. SKM was acknowledged for its commitment to indigenous Australians by developing and implementing a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
The judges’ comments on SKM’s submission were as follows:
“Sinclair Knight Merz's Reconciliation Action Plan demonstrates achievement above and beyond the criteria. The organisation has an impressive commitment to indigenous communities through valuing Aboriginal culture and dedication to outcomes.”
Over the past eight years SKM has formed strong ties and relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The RAP served to formalise these commitments and efforts. The creation and publication of the RAP formed the basis of the submission.
SKM’s Manager of Indigenous Strategy, Bill Lawson, says that SKM is committed to improving outcomes for Indigenous people where it has influence. There are 32 measurable commitments in the RAP, which are currently being delivered.
“This document is a culmination of our focus and leadership role in working to “close the gap” between indigenous and non indigenous Australians. Our goal is to take SKM staff, stakeholders and clients along on the journey to help repair the damage done to indigenous communities in a manner that provides dignity and self sufficiency, not dependency,” said Mr Lawson.
The Diversity @ Work award is a positive acknowledgement not only of the work that has gone into our RAP, but also the contribution that so many SKM people continue to make to our indigenous engagement program.
“The award, while pleasing to win, is an affirmation that we are heading in the right direction, and we now know that we can continue our work with confidence,” said Mr Lawson.
Issued By: Tim Dilnot