RA is enormously grateful to John Holland for hosting our special event in Melbourne last night, as RA CEO Michael Kilgariff welcomed attendees for a discussion examining how social procurement can create opportunities within our industry and deliver better project outcomes for the community.
We were fortunate to hear perspectives from subject matter experts including:
- Mark Davies – EGM Major Projects, John Holland
- Leanne Hill – Manager of Social Procurement Policy, Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions
- Jocelyn Bignold OAM – CEO, McAuley Community Services for Women
- Lynn Anderson – Program Director, CareerSeekers
- Greg Rafferty – Social Inclusion Manager – Infrastructure & Major Projects, John Holland
In a conversation expertly facilitated by Michelle Bakich, Business Development Manager VIC/SA/TAS Infrastructure & Major Projects, John Holland, the panel discussed how Australia’s record project pipeline can be used to generate employment opportunities for those from marginalised and disadvantaged communities.
The importance of considering the impact of traumatic events in a person’s background was emphasised, with panelists noting it can take time to rebuild the self-confidence needed to engage in the employment market and career development.
Industry participants need to be mindful of this and proactively develop strategies for identifying transferrable skills that can be engaged to create a pathway to a safe and flexible job for those who have suffered family violence, or refugees and asylum seekers who have been forced to relocate to Australia mid-career.
The conversation also highlighted the empowering effect that career opportunities in our industry can have for those from marginalised communities. Opportunities to engage in meaningful careers help provide a sense of belonging and connection to the community, and can have an enormously positive impact on settlement outcomes.