Mining services company awarded for trebling Indigenous workforce

Mining services company Sodexo’s success in trebling the number of Indigenousemployees at its Weipa and Amrun operations has won it a gong in the Queensland Resources Council Indigenous Awards.

The honour was presented by QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane at its seventh annual awards today.

“Sodexo’s achievements have been impressive,” said Mr Macfarlane.

“In just three years they have increased the proportion of Indigenous people in their far north Queensland workforce from 12 percent to almost 40 percent.

“Their Breaking the Barriers to Belonging program, which includes a focus on local recruitment and initiatives such as a buddy system, has certainly paid dividends and it’s great to see many of the recruits have worked their way up through the ranks.

“The online presentation featured Keynote speaker Fiona Jose, Chief Executive Officer at Cape York Partnership, with music by Troy Cassar-Daley, and also featured an address by Dr Jackie Huggins AM FAHA, a Bidjara/Birri Gubba Juru woman and staunch advocate for the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (because Indigenous is used first word next sentence) people.

“Indigenous people make up 4 percent of the combined QRC member company workforce, which is on par with their representation in Queensland’s population.

“This makes Sodexo’s performance a real stand out and an example of what can be achieved.”

QRC thanks major sponsors Rio Tinto and Evolutinon Mining, as well as Thiess, Glencore, Anglo American, Hastings Deering, Shell-QGC, Australian Pacific LNG, Bravus, Ventia, Mine Super and QCoal.

Media enquiries: Caroline Morrissey 0417 770 893