It seems closing the work gap in the corporate sector is not just about increasing job opportunities for Indigenous people. The key is to engage more effectively with Indigenous communities, the report says.
“Thinking about two way conversations, it's not just a one way relationship where the private sector goes in to deliver an employment program or sell the population”, said Janice Constable, author of Closing the Work Gap.
“It's about developing a relationship. It's about learning what Aboriginal communities want.”
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The report provides Indigenous perspectives gathered from leaders as well as employment managers who work in the private sector - and it aims to help them do things better for Indigenous clients and workers.
Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda told SBS “the bottom line of companies will improve as they get a workforce. As we're the youngest demographic in the country, education and training will provide a workforce that will deliver into the future and there's a whole lot of benefits of them picking up and running with these programs".
Co-authored by Reconciliation Australia, the report says it's a lack of trust that underpins the need for reconciliation and greater engagement in the Corporate Sector. And it's proven that reconciliation action plans help improve this.
“People that work in RAP organisations have greater levels of trust and lower rates of prejudice compared to the broader community,” said Karen Mundine of Reconciliation Australia.
Dhruv Nagrath, from law firm Landers and Rogers told SBS “we've recently recognised that this is something as a firm it's a priority for Landers and Rogers and the wheels have been put in motion, and formulating a reconciliation action plan and moving forward and actually implementing that plan is a real priority for the firm.”
The report was sponsored by Blue Chip company Lend Lease. Lend Lease has had a Reconciliation action plan in place for two years, which comes with the backing of their Global and Australian Chief Executive Officers.
“But as you've got CEO support you've got to have your staff at the grass root,” said Indigenous Engagement Chair of Lend Lease Cath Brokenborough.
“And not just from the top as well. It's hoped more corporations will be encouraged to engage with indigenous communities.”
