Acknowledgement of Country
Compass Group Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we operate and we pay respect to their Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Nations peoples of this country and recognise their continued connection to land, water and community.
We recognise that First Nations peoples’ history and rich cultures are engrained in Australia’s history. This is something that all Australians should recognise, be proud of and celebrate.
Our Reconciliation Journey
As industry leaders operating across Australia, we understand and value the important role we play in reconciliation.
We take pride in being an Elevate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) organisation. As such, we proactively share our experiences and journey in working and walking with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in this country, to make a sustainable difference.
We began our RAP journey in 2009, with one Aboriginal supplier and an annual spend of $40,000 dollars. Since then, Compass Group has fully embraced the National Reconciliation movement. Over the last 12 years we have worked consistently to improve First Nations Peoples’ rights to self-determination. Providing a platform for First Nations peoples, communities, employees and businesses to have a voice.
The Employment Parity Project Initiative
Compass Group was an inaugural corporate partner of the Indigenous Employment Parity Project Initiative. This is a Federal Government initiative launched in 2015. It invited employers to commit to ensuring 3% of their employees are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by 2020. As a signatory, we committed to employing 1,050 new Indigenous jobseekers, increasing our Indigenous employment to 10%. With this, Project 1050 was born.
Compass Group is proud to share that by 2020, we had employed 1,806 new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff. Exceeding our 1050-employment commitment. Much of Project 1050s success came from engaging with the Indigenous communities in which we operate and supporting local Indigenous jobseekers. Offering them training, upskilling and employment opportunities within our business. Simultaneously, we engaged with our own people and shared the stories of how we would and could make a difference for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Our Reconciliation Commitments
Our Elevate Reconciliation Action Plan report outlines years of dedicated commitment by Compass Group to Closing the Gap. It captures our focus on what positive, sustainable and capacity building outcomes we wanted to achieve for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia.
Driving and achieving reconciliation is a critical part of our company’s DNA.
In everything we do, we aim to drive and support long-term social change and make a real difference to the lives and communities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This includes a number of key initiatives and practises, such as:
– Working with Indigenous business and buying locally.
– Supporting local Indigenous jobseekers with training, upskilling and employment opportunities.
– Ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are well represented, supported and celebrated throughout our company and in all communities in which we operate.
Recently, we submitted our final report and achievements against our Elevate RAP for 2017-2020 to Reconciliation Australia. Our Elevate RAP proudly outlines the positive contribution Compass Group Australia has made to increasing Indigenous participation across multiple pillars. Including training and employment, community engagement and supplier diversity.
Included in our report are further key achievements and programs across our relationships, opportunities, respect and governance. Get to know some of the great Indigenous businesses we work with as well!
You can also read more about how we support First Nations Peoples by clicking here.
