Business Council of Australia 2011 survey of members' Indigenous engagement initiatives
The Business Council of Australia has released its third annual survey of members’ Indigenous engagement initiatives.
This year’s survey, Vision and Values: Working Together to Close the Gap, is by far the most comprehensive to date. The survey achieved a 74 per cent response rate from member companies, with 81 per cent reporting they have Indigenous engagement initiatives in place. Through these initiatives, Australia’s largest businesses are contributing in practical and creative ways to improved outcomes for Indigenous Australians.
Business Trailblazing in Indigenous Economic Engagement
Creative initiatives by Australia’s largest businesses are having an increasingly significant impact in supporting Indigenous employment and economic development.
The third annual survey by the Business Council of Australia attracted a record 74 per cent response rate from member companies (up from 40 per cent last year), and showed that 81 per cent of respondents have formal Indigenous engagement strategies in place.
The council’s Chief Executive, Jennifer Westacott, said the survey report, Vision and Values: Working Together to Close the Gap, shows council members are reaching out in ever larger numbers to help improve outcomes for Indigenous Australians.
“It’s increasingly well recognised that our members are playing a leading role in developing progressive and effective ways to provide Indigenous people with economic opportunities,” said Ms Westacott.
“The results of this year’s survey, which provide more detailed information from a larger number of member companies, show that finding and retaining qualified Indigenous employees is still a major focus.
“But members are also heavily involved in activity to improve education outcomes for Indigenous children to show them they have choices in life.”
Key findings from the 2011 survey include:
- 81 per cent of respondents have Indigenous engagement initiatives in place
- 63 per cent of all respondents have employment, training and/or education and skills strategies
- at least 872 new Indigenous employees and 561 new Indigenous trainees have been hired by member companies over the last 12 months
- 52 per cent of companies are working in partnership with Indigenous organisations
- the vast majority of respondents with Indigenous engagement strategies were able to identify successful initiatives with examples across each of the major categories including employment, education and business development.
This year’s survey also includes personal insights by CEO members Ralph Norris (Commonwealth Bank of Australia), David Peever (Rio Tinto) and Steve McCann (Lend Lease) whose companies are deeply involved in Indigenous engagement.
