Workpac Highly Commended at the Qld Reconciliation Awards
WorkPac are pleased to have been awarded a Highly Commended at the Queensland Reconciliation Awards. Announced June 1 at a ceremony in Cairns the Awards program recognises businesses, community organisations, educational institutions and partnerships taking positive steps towards reconciliation across Queensland.For WorkPac many of employment and training services are delivered, or in close proximity to, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and lands. To date the WorkPac Group Reconciliation initiative has realised several outcomes including:creation of a specialist Indigenous Services division, JobTrail, within the WorkPac Groupcreation of innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2017–19official launch of the RAP on both the East and West Coasts, attended by community groups and clientsdevelopment of WorkPac Group’s reconciliation journey video, narrated by Mr Alec Doomadgee, which introduces the journey as told through the RAP artwork designed by Mr. Stephen Hogarth. The purpose of this video was to raise awareness, among employees and wider communities, of the group’s support and underlying commitment to reconciliationdesign and delivery of several programs of work throughout Queensland which provide training and employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoplesdevelopment of new relationships with community members and support groups across WorkPac Group’s locational footprint which has led to increased participation efforts.As at March 2017, the WorkPac Group has achieved an improved culture of inclusion and awareness towards reconciliation, and strengthened ambition and capacity to move forward, positively, on its journey.The 2017 award winners were announced during National Reconciliation Week, 27 May–3 June 2017.National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 2017 marks two major milestones in the reconciliation history of Australia—50 years since the 1967 referendum, and 25 years since the Mabo decision.These events were turning points for rights and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Together, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians need to take the next steps in our reconciliation journey.We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Elders and leaders in the communities in which we work, our employees and our clients. Our journey towards Reconciliation would not be possible without the commitment from all these groups. We also congratulate all other award winners and finalists. You can learn more by visiting the Queensland Government Website https://www.qld.gov.au/about/events-awards-honours/awards/reconciliation-awards/JobTrail is the Indigenous services division of the WorkPac Group. The ultimate aim of the business is to improve Indigenous life outcomes. We are optimistic about the prospects of a fairer, more inclusive future, proper recognition of the past and the capacity of genuine partnerships to deliver meaningful and lasting change well into the future. Learn more at www.jobtrailatsi.com.au
- TAGGED:
$50,000 donation to make a difference in young lives
The WorkPac Group and Clontarf Foundation are changing the lives of Indigenous boysThe WorkPac Group is partnering with the Clontarf Foundation to improve education and employment prospects for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men.The Clontarf Foundation provides school-engagement mechanisms for Indigenous male students who would otherwise not attend or have low school attendance.Clontarf academies are located across Australia and focus on mentoring and supporting Indigenous school boys to improve their education and employment prospects as well as their self-esteem and life skills.WorkPac will be contributing $50,000 to the Foundation to support their work across Australia. The program also receives state and federal government funding.This money will help to change the lives of more Indigenous students by helping the Foundation to expand its program.National Manager of the WorkPac Group’s Indigenous division, JobTrail, Julian Genn says the program is helping close the gap through education, sport, and employment initiatives.“I travelled to some academies around Toowoomba and saw first-hand the kind of work Clontarf does and how funding is spent,” said Mr Genn.“In the morning, we travelled to each boy’s home, collecting them for school.“First up was Rugby League training on the school grounds followed by breakfast in the Clontarf room; The boys then went off to school but were able to come back to the Clontarf room during the day as required.“They’re taught to introduce themselves to new people in the room and to make eye contact, these kids are highly engaged and it was easy to see the value Clontarf is providing”.The Foundation also holds Clontarf Camps and boys who meet attendance KPIs are invited to attend.Ongoing mentoring and support is provided by Clontarf and WorkPac after the boys leave school and into their employment.“The ultimate aim of the Indigenous services division of the WorkPac Group is to improve Indigenous life outcomes and through genuine partnerships with foundations like Clontarf, we can deliver meaningful and lasting change”.The Clontarf Foundation achieves consistent results in helping close the gap in education, employment and health.Year to year the retention average for the academy is 90%, attendance averages 80%, and on average 80% of Clontarf graduates remain engaged in employment or further training and study 12 months after leaving school.According to a 2014 independent study conducted by ACIL Allen Consulting, the economic impact of the academies delivers significant return on investment.Every dollar spent in maintaining a boy in the program returns $8.13 to the state over his working life.
- TAGGED:
NRL legend Scott Prince joins the WorkPac Group to deliver Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment program in Queensland
Scott Prince, new ambassador for Indigenous employment program, Murri’s in the Mines, is encouraging Indigenous WorkPac employees to complete their traineeship and build a career in mining.15 Indigenous participants have started their Certificate III in Surface Extraction at Rio Tinto’s Hail Creek Mine in Central Queensland.WorkPac and its Indigenous division JobTrail is delivering the program with mentoring provided by Traditional Owners and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service.Murri’s in the Mines ensures Indigenous trainee operators have the right support at home and in the workplace to finish their traineeships and grow their careers.Scott will go onsite as the program’s ambassador, meeting with participants and their supervisors to provide support and motivation to the 15 trainees currently completing the program.Scott says he got involved in the program to support and encourage Indigenous trainees to be successful in their pursuits in the mining sector.“I think that like footy, the workplace offers individuals the opportunities to perform and succeed, but it’s not without challenges,” Scott said.“My father Les was a miner in Mount Isa, without his hard work, I wouldn’t have been able to pursue my football career.”“I’m proud to offer support to these guys and girls who are starting out in mining. I’ve seen first-hand with my dad; a mining career really helps provide for your family and gives back to your community and hopefully we’ll see another Maroons halfback come out of a mining town.”Scott’s work as an ambassador for Indigenous community programs demonstrates his strong commitment to increasing Indigenous participation in the education, training and employment space, says JobTrail National Manager, Julian Genn.“Being a proud Aboriginal from the Kalkadoon tribe in the Mount Isa region makes Scott someone our participants can relate to and look up to,” said Julian.“Scott is a well-known ex-NRL player and his profile will bring exposure to the program and help increase employment in the local Indigenous community”.To learn more about WorkPac’s Indigenous division JobTrail, click hereTo download a copy of our Reconciliation Action Plan, click here
- TAGGED:
WorkPac donates $20,000 and car to youth program in Blackwater
WorkPac and its indigenous division JobTrail, is partnering with Wesfarmers to sponsor the Police Citizens Youth Club’s Braking the Cycle program in Blackwater.The launch of the program was held at the Blackwater PCYC yesterday in the Central Highlands Region of Queensland.The program provides disadvantaged youth with the opportunity to obtain their driving licence through the support of a volunteer mentor network and access to a vehicle.Members of the police force and local council attended the launch with representatives from WorkPac, Wesfarmers Curragh and the Queensland Department of Transport.Sergeant Dominic Richardson, PCYC Branch Manager, spoke about the importance of holding a drivers licence, explaining that it was a core life and work skill in a community where there is no public transport.A drivers licence is a standard employment requirement and without access to a car and family support, it can become a barrier too large to overcome.WorkPac donated the vehicle and $20,000 to help fund expenses such as fuel and servicing.Giving the community access to a vehicle and providing a supportive network of mentors who can assist with the required 100 log hours helps young people break the cycle of disadvantage.Pictured left to right: Julian Genn, JobTrail; Liz Blythe, Wesfarmers Curragh; Sgt Dominic Richardson, PCYC Blackwater; Rachel Schurmann, PCYC Blackwater.Pictured: The first participants in the Braking the Cycle program.
- TAGGED:
WorkPac named finalist in 2017 Hunter Safety Awards
WorkPac has been named a finalist in the 2017 Hunter Safety Awards for the Most Innovative Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Idea category for large organisations.WorkPac won the 2016 Hunter Safety Award for best WHS Management System and has been recognised for its industry-leading safety in Hunter workplaces.Winners will be announced at the Hunter Safety Awards gala event on Friday 17th March 2017.National Safety and Risk Manager, Rachel Pearse says WorkPac wanted to support employees and facilitate discussion on fatigue and mental health while addressing the key challenges of engaging with a geographically diverse workforce.“Our initiative was to broaden our communication approach of safety messages across platforms like video and social media,” Ms Pearse said.“Our first message focused on fatigue management and our second message focused on mental health and wellbeing which are two really important issues in our line of work,” she said.Across the industries WorkPac services, the statistics speak for themselves. A construction worker is six times more likely to commit suicide than die as a result of a workplace incident. If the worker is under 24 years of age, the risk increases by 10 times.The Minerals Council of Australia’s blueprint for mental health and wellbeing estimates costs to the resources industry, including lowered productivity, is between $320 million to $450 million per year or around $300,000 to $400,000 for an average worksite of 170 people. Luke Tresidder, Business Centre Manager at WorkPac Hunter Valley says the WorkPac team wanted to do more than produce posters and flyers or transfer the responsibility over to an external Employee Assistance Program provider when dealing with mental health issues.“We engaged with our workforce and identified that traditional forms of communication were no longer the only way to reach our field team. We didn’t want to wait around for tragic statistics before we formulated an initiative to address fatigue and mental health,” Mr Tresidder said.“We knew we needed to implement new ways to reach our workforce and our research pointed to social media, video communication and real people communicating sincere messages,” he said.WorkPac’s Head of Marketing Tracey Mesken says Facebook now serves more than 8 billion video views per day.“That’s double the amount the video content users were consuming in early 2015,” Ms Mesken said.“LinkedIn and Facebook allowed us to elevate workplace challenges that have influencing factors external to the workplace, into social networks enabling a peer engagement forum.“The campaign drove greater awareness and acceptance by our employees to openly discuss these challenging topics.“To be a finalist again is a fantastic achievement and we are happy to be recognised two years running, this is a real credit to the Hunter Valley and Newcastle teams’ efforts.”WorkPac is proud to be finalists in what will be a hotly contended category.Regardless of the outcome, WorkPac congratulates all nominees for their contributions towards making workplaces in the Hunter Region safe. WorkPac will continue to explore video and social media amplification of messages using these platforms to further enhance safety education and communication.In its 20 years of operation, WorkPac has experienced no fatalities or prosecutions and has one of the lowest Lost Time Injury Frequency Rates in the contingent labour industry.
- TAGGED:
WorkPac named runner up for Large Recruitment Agency of the Year at the Seek Annual Recruitment Awards
The SEEK Annual Recruitment Awards celebrate innovation and excellence within the recruitment industry and the WorkPac Group is proud to place as runner up for Large Recruitment Agency of the Year, 2016.The WorkPac Group was judged on how our organisation fosters diversity and inclusion, drives innovation, supports growth, engages candidates and contributes to the recruitment industry.CULTUREThe WorkPac Group implemented a number of unique service offerings aligning with our vision to:“Create and advance strong, inclusive communities involving all Australians through actively increasing Indigenous employment and training participation, heightening cultural awareness and building mutually respectful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians.”JobTrail is the WorkPac Group’s specialist division for Indigenous Services. The ultimate aim of the business is to improve Indigenous life outcomes. Our holistic support for candidates focuses on positive identity construction (country and identity), ownership and responsibility, financial literacy, local knowledge and contributors, family elements and walk on country.JobTrail also breaks down common barriers employers face when sourcing, selecting, employing and training Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia.The WorkPac Group’s first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) launches in January. Under the guidance and governance of Reconciliation Australia, we are creating a formal, documented commitment on a set of action items which will enhance cultural awareness, community participation and ultimately employment outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.INNOVATIONThe WorkPac Group owes its success to the innovative and dedicated people we work with. The innovative solutions and automated online platforms introduced by our Credit Collections Team to address credit collection challenges has expedited innovative thinking within the team and across the business as a whole. We will benefit hugely from their work now and into the future.GROWTHIn line with the Group’s five year operational and strategic plan, we set key targets and the delivery of these goals was critical to achieving our number one business priority – the health and safety of our employees.WorkPac faces significant challenges as the majority of our operations are undertaken in Australia’s most hazardous working environments and we employ over 4,500 individuals in regional and remote locations.Our target achievements through 2015/16 included our Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate target of 1.0 or less and exceeding our safety interactions per month target of 10% on total employees.Our reputation as a leading provider of safety management continues to drive increased client relationships and heightened candidate engagement levels. This increases our capacity to attract candidates who place explicit trust in our ability to protect them from harm.ENGAGEMENTWorkPac engages candidates at a pre-employment level right through to post-placement support. Our Local Access Policy has seen the Group establish operational presence in regional, rural and remote Australia to provide local support and accessibility to individuals who are more accustomed to long-range, telephone based relationships. The power and efficiency in local, face to face relationships continues to deliver strong candidate and employee engagement.WorkPac also provides Employee Benefits and Assistance Programs to empower our people to succeed at work and maintain healthy, happy lifestyles.CONTRIBUTION TO INDUSTRYWorkPac’s contribution to industry is varied and takes many forms, including:Regional and rural operations, promoting and ensuring recruitment services are available to clients that may otherwise be unaware of the industry’s valueNon-industry associations where our corporate memberships and participation in industry events increases awareness and fuels discussion on industry services and valueStudy papers including a recent commissioned white paper conducted with University of Queensland to promote the benefits of recruitment over in-house effortsSupport for industry events and promotions, such as the recent Recruitment Yarns roadshowWorkPac is proud to be recognised as one of Australia’s industry leaders for workplace culture and inclusion, industry advancement, candidate engagement, growth and innovation.
- TAGGED:
WorkPac ranks 58 in Australia’s top 500 companies
A leader in workforce management, WorkPac Group has been ranked number 58th in the 2016 edition of the Australian Financial Review’s Top 500 Private Companies.WorkPac moved up six spots from number 64 in the 2015 list which is compiled by IBISWorld and ranks businesses by revenue.WorkPac is the highest ranked company in the recruitment sector, offering a suite of workforce management, project management, training and technology solutions to the resources, construction, industrial and healthcare sectors.Managing Director, Mr Praanesh Prasad said, “Our revenue growth is a result of our business diversification strategy our business diversification strategy which is focused on delivering productive and effective solutions to our clients in both traditional and new markets.”“In the mining market, competitors of all sizes are under pressure to deliver greater productivity and value. We are great at rolling out efficient technology, employing subject matter experts within each market and we pride ourselves on the relationships we build on the ground. We are very buoyant about the mining and healthcare sectors.”“Our growth is a result of our five year plan and we have an exciting growth period ahead as we continue to actively respond to the increasing complexities of the labour market.”“This includes refining our tailored solutions to bridge skill gaps for our clients and plan for their future resourcing needs.”Mr Prasad confirms WorkPac is set for a new phase of growth and development, building on the successes of the past few years of significantly lifted sales.”“We have recently expanded our group to include Training, Healthcare, Construction and Innovation. This rounds out WorkPac’s complete end-to-end service for clients in the resources, construction, industrial and healthcare sectors,” he said.To view the full top 500 visit http://www.afr.com/leadership/brw-lists/top-500-private-companies/afr-top-500-private-companies-20160828-gr2zyt
- TAGGED:
WorkPac HealthCare Business Centre opens in Milton.
WorkPac opened a new centre to address healthcare worker shortage in Brisbane. The WorkPac Group officially opened its new HealthCare Business Centre in Milton in December 2015, addressing the national shortage of healthcare workers.WorkPac recently ranked amongst the world’s top 100 recruitment firms and specialises in healthcare, mining, construction, engineering, and oil and gas recruitment.With 35 offices throughout Australia, WorkPac is creating a national network that matches sought-after staff to many industries.The new office was opened in response to increasing demand for professional healthcare staff throughout the Brisbane and southeast Queensland region.Business HealthCare Centre Manager, said the new office would concentrate on finding people to fill gaps across the health industry, especially in nursing.“We have a strong contingent of qualified and experienced nurses and we are ready to deliver some much needed relief to healthcare facilities in Brisbane,” she said.“The industry has seen a shortage for some years and we share their excitement that we can offer dedicated service to help meet the huge need for professional staff across Brisbane and beyond.”WorkPac has also created innovative software that can monitor and mobilise qualified staff quickly and guarantee critical controls for checking applicants’ qualifications, background and work history.She said the clever software offers peace of mind for any healthcare business, which most recruitment companies cannot guarantee. The company also conducts medical screening tests for companies that require drug and health screenings.“We have robust screening and verification processes to ensure that we provide the best staff to meet the high standards our clients expect – we listened to our clients’ priorities and this new software helps us respond to their needs,” she said.The Business Centre offers a range of additional services including pre-employment medicals, immunisation, walk-in clinic, healthcare training and workers compensation.WorkPac HealthCare Brisbane NorthSuite 1, 19 Lang Parade, MILTON QLD 4064+61 7 3039 4500healthcarebrisnorth@workpac.com
- TAGGED:
WorkPac Wins Hunter Safety Awards
Global recruitment leader, WorkPac wins 2016 Hunter Safety Awards for best Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Management System.Winners were announced at the gala awards on March 18 at Wests, New Lambton at the inaugural awards recognising outstanding WHS management systems in Hunter workplaces.WorkPac’s Hunter Valley Business Centre Manager, Luke Tresidder says, “The award for Best WHS Management System is a proud achievement for his team.””On the night I was so proud of the team’s achievements that I could hardly speak while accepting the award,” Mr Tresidder said.“I am genuinely proud of our Business Centre’s commitment to occupational health and safety, both for its own people and on behalf of employers.”“What I wanted to explain on the night was that the MaxSafe system has been a critical enabler of the strong safety culture in our Hunter region, providing a holistic support service for 440 employees and our clients, ensuring safety protocols are followed and commitment to a zero harm workplace is constantly front of mind,” Mr Tresidder said.“The systems and controls in place are market leading which is a credit to the business for always striving for excellence”.“MaxSafe provides the framework to drive productivity and most importantly a strong safety culture”.“We aim to assist our clients in meeting their objectives to establish and maintain zero harm operations where incidents or injuries do not occur.”“We promote open communication and transparency and recognise that OHSE [Occupational Health Safety and Environment] management is an integral part of our business and that of our clients”.“I would also like to thank the event sponsors, Sarah-Jane and the organising committee of the awards for a brilliant night, and finally our team for their dedication to our people and the systems that send them home safely each day.”MaxSafe couples a highly intelligent enterprise software application with policies, standards, guidelines and procedures that specify safety and risk management requirements.MaxSafe was developed to address key challenges faced by WorkPac’s industries and delivers safety management solutions celebrated as industry leading, according to SAI Global Auditors, numerous safety award panels and tier one mining and construction companies.In its 18 plus years of operation, WorkPac has experienced no fatalities, no prosecutions or investigations and no environmental incidents as well as holding one of the lowest Loss Time Injury Frequency Rates in the contingent labour industry, per hours worked.MaxSafe is implemented across the mining, construction, engineering, oil and gas and health care industries in which WorkPac operates.WorkPac was recently ranked 71st in the Staffing Industry Analysts, global 100 list of the world’s largest staffing and recruitment firms, climbing 11 spots in just one year.
- TAGGED:
JobTrail presents to increase Indigenous participation in the resources sector
JobTrail showcases Indigenous recruitment and retention strategies to assist resource companies and contractors at today’s Resources Sector Indigenous Employment and Training Practitioners’ Forum.The showcase is held at the Sofitel in Brisbane and is a Queensland Government and Queensland Resources Council initiative to increase Indigenous participation in the resources sector.The forum is an industry event for practitioners from resource companies and includes a showcase of service providers that have capability in the Indigenous employment sphere.The HR, training and Indigenous relations managers from resource companies and contractors from across Queensland are in attendance to specifically focus on learning leading practices regarding successful recruitment and retention of Indigenous candidates for resource sector roles. It will also focus on what works and what doesn’t work in attracting, recruiting and retaining Indigenous workers in the resources industry.Attracting, recruiting, on boarding and supporting Indigenous workers is a specialist function that some resource companies, particularly contractors without in-house capability, may require external support to undertake successfully.JobTrail, Indigenous workforce solutions provider and member of the WorkPac Group, is one of six companies that has been invited to participate in the showcase.Julian Genn, JobTrail Regional Manager, is presenting and explains “JobTrail’s service connects Traditional Owners, businesses and State Government departments to grow talented Indigenous workforces.”In the showcase he will explain how JobTrail improves Indigenous life outcomes are working towards a fairer, more inclusive future with proper recognition of the past.“One of the keys to success is that we involve Traditional Owners in our projects and genuine partnerships are formed in regions to drive community engagement, enabling us to deliver program outcomes aligned with Indigenous employment targets”.“Presenting with me at the forum is our business partner, Mareshah Bowie from Alkira Compass. Alkira is a fully owned and operated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business, who contributes key strategies and processes throughout the journey.”Companies seeking assistance with their Indigenous recruitment strategy can find out more by contacting Julian Genn, Regional Manager, JobTrail Julian.Genn@jobtrailatsi.com.au 07 32512276
- TAGGED: