Leading projects firm Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) has reinforced its commitment to “closing the gap”, releasing its second Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) to mark the occasion of the United Nations’ International Day of the World’s Indigenous People (IDWIP) on 9 August.
SKM has also released its Third Year Review Report (Y3RRR) outlining the company’s progress in achieving its original 32 RAP commitments towards overcoming Indigenous disadvantage. These commitments were detailed in SKM's first RAP launched in 2009.
SKM’s RAP continues to be a key element of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Program in Australia, and forms part of a strategic plan for all “closing the gap” initiatives.
SKM's second RAP includes 15 new commitments to be met over the next three years, and like the first RAP, has been developed in close collaboration with Reconciliation Australia.
Through its new commitments, SKM will:
- Continue its four-level Cultural Awareness Training (CAT) Program for staff
- Continue its National Indigenous Cadetship Program (NICP), and support current cadets in both their studies and postgraduate employment
- Identify and build relationships with Traditional Owners of land on which all Australian SKM offices are located, and seek positive opportunities to help and advise Traditional Owners overcome intransigent and difficult inter-cultural problems
- Build relationships with schools with significant Indigenous student numbers to identify and develop Indigenous employment opportunities with SKM, and establish joint ventures with universities creating opportunities for Indigenous Australians
- Work with SKM’s CSR partners to create and develop opportunities for Indigenous Australians
Both the Y3RRR Report and the new RAP were presented today to the CEO of Reconciliation Australia, Leah Armstrong, by SKM CEO Santo Rizzuto.
“SKM is proud to be involved in reconciliation activities and keen to work with our Australian clients and stakeholders in both undertaking and enhancing activities to help ‘close the gap’ between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians," said Mr Rizzuto. "We are now well acquainted with Reconciliation Australia’s objectives and are happy to assist our clients and stakeholders in becoming part of the RAP community.”
To view a copy of the Y3RRR and RAP2, please select below:
About IDWIP
IDWIP is held on 9 August every year to raise awareness of Indigenous people’s cultures and the great diversity that they represent. It is also an occasion to focus efforts to address issues of exclusion, discrimination and poverty that are still the daily reality for many of these peoples. To find out more, visit www.un.org/events/indigenous.
About Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM)
Sinclair Knight Merz is a leading projects firm, with global capability in strategic consulting, engineering and project delivery. It operates across Asia Pacific, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, deploying some 7,000 people from more than 40 offices.
